By Ian Garland

PUBLISHED: 10:33 EST, 2 May 2012 | UPDATED: 12:32 EST, 2 May 2012

How do you persuade the vainest man on TV to give you a job? Give him a T-shirt with his face printed on the front.

It worked for Tulisa, who has admitted that's exactly how she convinced Simon Cowell to hire her as Cheryl Cole's replacement on the X Factor.

The singer - last night named the World's Sexiest Woman by FHM magazine - presented Cowell with the shirt at his house in Los Angeles... and he hired her on the spot.

Cowell

Cowell

Tulisa revealed the secret behind her recruitment today during an interview with Sam Walker and Lorna Bancroft on Real Radio North West's Feel Good Breakfast.

My favourite! Simon has long been a fan of the white T-shirt

My favourite! Simon has long been a fan of the white T-shirt

She said: 'I was really cheeky. I got him a t-shirt - made sure it was a white V neck - and I printed a picture of his face on the front and (it) said 'The Male Boss' underneath.

'And I said "as the female boss only I can Knight you with this title. So here you go, got you a little present." Thought I'd be a little cheeky to get in there!

'It worked, he gave me the job on the spot so happy days!'

Tulisa made her debut on the show last August and was a huge success in her first series, mentoring the winning act Little Mix.

The flirty approach may have helped her secure the job - but Tulisa recently insisted there's no chance of a romance with her womanising boss.

A recent biography of the music mogul revealed Cowell had an affair with one-time judge Dannii Minogue, and lusted after Tulisa's predecessor Cheryl Cole.

But she's not intimidated by his reputation as a lothario, insisting: 'I don't think I'd be his type.'

Considering Tulisa was crowned the Sexiest Woman in the World by FHM magazine last night, she might be his type after all.

World's sexiest: Tulisa at last night's gala and, right, her sexy shoot in the current issue of FHM

The N-Dubz star beat the likes of Cheryl Cole, Georgia Salpa and Megan Fox to win the contest, voted by readers of the men's magazine.

Speaking to MailOnline she described it as 'the most self-indulgent award she's ever won.'

And she thanked fans for putting her at the top of the list: 'Thank you so much for voting for me. It's a true honour and definitely a lovely confidence boost.'

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Who is she trying to kid ? Why would he want a T shirt ? Talentless bimbo.

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Well it wasn't like she got the job on her musical talent now, is it? Hope Dannii comes back, she's the only judge I've ever really liked (and Louis Walsh of course). :)

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What?? The World's Sexiest Woman voted by FHM??? You're kidding right! She's not ugly but she certainly ain't beautiful!

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