KATE Beckinsale has joked that she's found it "mortifying" being named the Sexiest Woman Alive in Esquire magazine's 2009 poll.

The actress wowed photographers as she hit the red carpet at the AFI Festival in a strapless silver mini-dress for the premiere of her new movie Everybody's Fine.

"Oh don't," she laughed when the subject was brought up at the glitzy premiere.

"It's such a nice thing to happen and then immediately it's mortifying."