The Cork-based actor will appear in advertisements for the Italian clothing giant's winter campaign alongside supermodels Chirsty Turlington, Carolyn Murphy and Kate Moss. Rhys Meyers follows in the footsteps of Hollywood stars such as Halle Berry, Demi Moore and Madonna by fronting a campaign for the Italian fashion house.

The 28-year-old actor, who recently starred opposite Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III, will be the sole male model in Versace's winter campaign, which will be shot by the internationally-renowned photographer Mario Testino and will be featured in all major fashion publications.

Although Rhys Meyers is far from a household name in America, a statement from the Italian designers said that he was the ideal choice for their advertising campaign. "[Rhys Meyers] has all the trademark elements of Versace style - sensuality, individuality, mystery and glamour, " said the company.

The actor was born in Dublin but moved to Cork with his family at a young age. Having turned his attentions towards acting while still in school, Rhys Meyers made his big-screen breakthrough at the age of 19 in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins, playing the role of the Free State leader's assassin.

His first major role came two years later in Velvet Goldmine, in which he played the part of a rock star loosely based on David Bowie. Although he has starred in over 30 films, Rhys Meyers is best known for his roles in Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Alexander (2004) and Woody Allen's Match Point (2005). He won a Golden Globe award earlier this year for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the CBS mini-series, Elvis.

The actor has been romantically linked with Reena Hammer (20), whose parents, George and Ruby, own the Harrods Spa and created the makeup line Ruby & Millie. However, recent media reports have linked him with Lady Victoria Hervey, a 29-year-old socialite currently starring in ITV's reality TV show Love Island.