Channing Tatum has been named this year’s coveted title of People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive 2012.

Channing Matthew Tatum (born April 26, 1980) is an American actor and film producer. He began his career as a fashion model and appearing in television commercials for Pepsi and Mountain Dew before turning to film roles.

But the choice wasn’t so obvious to the 32-year-old actor himself.

In fact, Tatum tells the magazine, he had to do a double-take when he heard the news.

"My first thought was, 'Y'all are messing with me,'" Tatum told People. The announcement was made on the "Today" show on Wednesday morning.

“We never comment on who the Sexiest Man Alive is until the issue is revealed," a rep for People told the website.

"Hangover" star Bradley Cooper took the crown last year.

Tatum joins a long list of Hollywood heartthrobs who have received the “sexiest man” title from the magazine, including Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Ryan Reynolds, George Clooney and Matt Damon.