Actor who 'fell in love' with Ireland announced as sexiest man alive

ACTOR Patrick Dempsey, who previously gushed over his love for Ireland has been named this year's People Magazine Sexiest Man Alive.

The actor is best known for his role as neurosurgeon Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.

Dempsey, who filmed the sequel to Disney’s Enchanted in Enniskerry, Wicklow told the Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo podcast that his experience of the country was ‘everything you would imagine it to be’ saying; “I fell in love with the place, I was everywhere.”

Dempsey told People Magazine; “I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life. It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”

“I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid! I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”