There were several celebrities who captured our hearts this year (Pictures: Getty)
This year several Hollywood heartthrobs caught our eye, here are some of Metro’s biggest crushes of 2024.
As the year comes to a close, we have reflected on some of the hotties who raised our pulses this year.
With a huge number of new films and TV series came a host of fresh celebrity faces, with some of us developing crushes on some fantastic rising stars.
Others found themselves fancying some of their favourite new singers or reality TV stars – or noughties icons as they made a resurgence into the mainstream.
Here are some of the famous faces we loved in 2024, and are keen to see more of in 2025…
Danny Dyer
Danny Dyer played Freddie in Rivals (Picture: Robert Viglasky/ 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved)
When I sat down to watch Rivals earlier this year, I expected to fancy Aidan Turner’s character, mainly because I have been nursing a big fat crush on him since he appeared on screens in fingerless gloves as a vampire in BBC’s Being Human.
However, I was shocked when I finished the series and realised the character I was completely obsessed with was Danny Dyer’s character Freddie.
I’ve never been an Eastenders watcher and my only real perception of Danny Dyer was that he was a blokey actor who probably wouldn’t be my cup of tea as a romantic lead – I was so incredibly wrong.
Without giving away too much, his character was incredibly charming in Rivals as a funny, kind, and sweet man who was in a difficult marriage, but beginning a romantic affair with a fellow unhappy Rutshire resident.
His acting in this series was phenomenal and the portrayal of this wholesome romance changed my whole opinion of the ‘hard man’ actor.
He needs to be immediately cast as a romantic lead in every project he takes on.
Laura Harman, Senior Entertainment Reporter
Simone Ashley
Simone Ashley played Kate Sharma in Bridgerton (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
It’s difficult to imagine a world without Simone Ashley’s glorious onscreen presence since she broke onto the scene with Sex Education.
And her time as leading lady on Bridgerton solidified her as not only a force to be reckoned with but as someone who is truly turning the tide for the representation of brown women in the romance genre.
The first time I saw Simone Ashley swishing into the ballroom in a stunning gown and completely sweeping Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony Bridgerton off his feet, I knew she was the moment.
(And perhaps a little part of me wanted her to sweep me off my feet too)
Not to wax lyrical but she’s a brown-skinned goddess who is changing the game and brings a tenacity and fiery sprit to whoever she plays. I literally couldn’t contain my excitement when she reappeared for Bridgerton season three and am waiting with bated breath to see what she does next.
Quite simply, there’s no one doing it like Simone so what’s not to love?
Asyia Iftikhar, Entertainment Reporter
Jamie Borthwick
Jamie competed in Strictly earlier this year (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Jamie Borthwick may not have got the glitterball trophy, but he has all the sparkle he needs. As he mastered the Rumba and stomped through a Paso Doble my eyes were firmly on the screen, but what I enjoyed more was his personality displayed in the cheesy VTs.
The soap actor was shown as a bit of a lad (I’m very partial to this genre of man), shooting some pool down his local pub one week, or visiting his beloved West Ham football team.
There was another aspect to my crush that I couldn’t deny. He reminds me a lot of his former EastEnders co-star Jake Wood – during his Max Branning/Stacey Slater affair days I fancied him and that only increased during his Salsa on Strictly.
I’m sure Jake is not too fussed to hear this, but Jamie/Jay Brown may have just finally knocked him (and his hips) off top spot as my EastEnders hunk.
Josie Copson, Senior TV Reporter
Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue hosted I Kissed A Girl this year (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
The summer of 2024 welcomed a Dannii Minogue renaissance as the pint-sized Australian pop star returned to play Cupid for the gays. Following the success of I Kissed A Boy—the UK’s first gay dating show—Dannii was back for the ladies, once again solidifying her status as a queer icon and looking incredible while doing so.
During an interview with Dannii to promote the show, I confessed to her that she was one of my own lesbian awakenings growing up (the highlight of my X Factor 2007-2010 viewing experience was her outfits on a Saturday night), and I regret nothing. Her response was so sweet and validating.
Entering the masseria each episode, Dannii turned out one stunning look after another, showing that she simply does only get better with age.
A celebrity hottie of the 90s, 2010s, and now the 2020s, Dannii Minogue will have an eternal spot on my crush list.
Emily Bashforth, Entertainment Reporter.
Aidan Turner
Aidan was another star of Rivals this year (Picture: Disney +)
I know everyone everywhere fancied Aidan Turner for his shirtless scene in Poldark but some 10 years later I’m only going to reignite the flames of your passion by saying: he’s the friendliest actor I’ve ever interviewed.
When I spoke to him at the Rivals junket, there was a good few minutes before the interview started as the crew needed to fix the sound.
After exchanging greetings I sat back to give them all space, and was pleasantly surprised when Aidan carried on chatting to me liked an excitable friend about who I’d interviewed, how I was doing and so on.
He was also a generous interviewee who gave interesting and thoughtful answers rather than the usual media-trained script.
Turns out, he’s even nicer with his shirt on.
Ruth Lawes, Senior TV reporter
Aaron Pierre
Aaron has been pegged to be the new James Bond (Picture: Corey Nickols/Getty Images for IMDb)
He’s currently starring as the noblest lion on the big screen and left Netflix viewers in a chokehold with his action-packed thriller; yes, Aaron Pierre was the moment of 2024.
There’s a reason why the South London-born actor has now crept in as a favourite to become the next James Bond. This year we discovered that Aaron, 30, has the perfect cocktail of traits to be a leading man on-screen.
Rebel Ridge, the action blockbuster that clocked up millions of views on Netflix this summer, proved he has the charisma, muscle and moodiness of an action star, while his turn as Mufasa in the live-action Lion King prequel revealed his charm and, goodness, that singing voice.
He might also just be the most stunning feline we’ve ever seen – that bone structure and those piercing eyes that left even melted Kelly Clarkson on her talk show.
You may not be familiar with some of Aaron’s older work, which includes the mind-bending horror Old, but with him now officially cast as Green Lantern, his star is only set to shine even brighter.
Alicia Adejobi, Deputy Entertainment Editor
Jacob Elordi (with a beard)
Jacob debuted a new look this year (Picture: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Aussie heartthrob Jacob Elordi might have sent pulses racing with his saucy appearance in Saltburn last year, but a recent facial hair change left many scratching their heads.
Last month the 27-year-old hit the red carpet with a beard that had many saying he looked ‘decades older’ and they much preferred him clean-shaven.
Some even went so far as to label him ‘Santa’. Despite this I felt like one of the few who actually loved his new look.
After the actor carved out a career playing teenage characters in The Kissing Booth and Euphoria, it feels like my celeb crush is now more age-appropriate with a more ‘manly’ appearance.
Pierra Willix, TV Reporter
Adam Brody
Adam starred in Netflix’s Novody Wants This earlier this year (Picture: SAEED ADYANI/NETFLIX)
It’s been over 20 years since Adam Brody became one of the undisputed heartthrobs of the 00s, playing the lovably nerdy Seth Cohen in The OC.
The hold he had on all of us 90s kids was unparalleled… and the actor’s power to basically hypnotise the legions of TV viewers who fancy him has definitely not dwindled over the past 21 years.
This year, he and fellow 00s TV legend Kristen Bell joined forces for Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, a series that follows a sex podcaster called Joanne who ends up in an unexpected romance with Noah, a rabbi.
Some might deem it a fantasy (I mean, we are talking about a fictional show over here, albeit one inspired loosely by the story of writer Erin Foster), but Adam’s Noah encapsulates what many would call the ‘ideal guy’.
He’s attentive, emotionally intelligent, romantic, and doesn’t want Kristen’s Joanne to shrink herself down… as some men would. Honestly, all bare minimum stuff, but still rare enough to leave us fanning ourselves.
Sabrina Barr, Deputy TV Editor
Renee Rapp
Renee starred in Mean Girls and Sex Lives of College Girls (Picture: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)
Singer, dancer, actor — a triple threat who immediately had me head over heels. If you opened my TikTok in late January, you would have seen never-ending thirst edits of Renee Rapp.
While millennials were crying over her sarcasm and sometimes less-than-polite interviews, I was captivated by her no-shits-given attitude. Personality aside, Renee is just really hot and she knows it, which of course makes her even hotter.
Seeing her ass-shaking performance inches in front of me broke me. Towa Bird, can you fight?
Danni Scott, Entertainment Reporter
Dylan O’Brien
Dylan appeared in Saturday Night earlier this year (Picture: John Nacion/Getty Images)
The girls who get it, get it. Dylan O’Brien has been everyone’s crush since Teen Wolf and if he hasn’t, educate yourself. I’m so down bad for him I watch Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson’s terrible Google movie multiple times a year.
This man had me screaming ‘I can fix him’ with his platinum buzzcut while playing a certified douchebag in Not Okay in 2022.
Finally, this year saw the long-awaited Dylan Renaissance as we got not one but four different projects with full press tours to boot.
A fresh trim, new outfits, and his unending charisma instantly reeled me back in. I would [redacted] until [redacted] and then I’d [redacted] some more, respectfully.
Danni Scott, Entertainment Reporter
Mike Faist
Mike was the star of Challengers this year (Picture: Stephen Lovekin/BEI/REX/Shutterstock)
Okay, I’ll admit it, Challengers got me. I walked into that cinema so confident I would not be seduced and I walked out in love with Mike Faist. The (obscenely long) voice note I sent my friends after watching it is not fit for public consumption.
Yes, Art is manipulative and the engineer of his friend’s downfall but dear god he’s hot doing it. The sauna scene? The churros scene? The bed scene? That film has consumed my thoughts for months. But it didn’t stop at Challengers.
I went to see Bikeriders and couldn’t take my eyes off this man, ratty moustache and all. That sleeveless denim jacket has not helped me move on.
Maybe it’s because he listens or maybe it’s his abs, either way, I’m all in.
Danni Scott, Entertainment Reporter
Garrett from Love Is Blind
Love is Blind was a huge reality TV hit (Picture: Garrett/Instagram)
It’s quite hard to find a man with only green flags on reality TV, but Love Is Blind’s Garrett has proven it’s a possibility.
The quantum physicist (he’s smart too!) married Taylor on the show, and to be honest, we’re crushing on her just as much.
Not only was he pretty good looking before, but Garrett sent the internet wild when he dropped his new look, with many convinced Taylor’s behind it all, and he’s now a model.
In the words of one X user, ‘from physicist to stylish, Go G!’
Meghna Amin, Senior TV Reporter
Glen Powell
Glen had a great 2024 (Picture: Universal Pictures)
2024 was Glen Powell’s year, with rom-com Anyone But You being released at the very end of 2023 and thirstily spilling into the new year. Then there was the drop of huge Netflix smash hit Hit Man and, of course, one of this summer’s best blockbusters, Twisters.
It’s safe to say he was ‘the moment’, and, aside from being weirdly hailed as one of the new breed of ‘rodent men’ (remember that weirdness?) it’s safe to say he is probably the year’s hottest export.
Any Glen Powell role is certified hot, but if you’ve seen him in Twisters, clad in cowboy boots and hat, bootcut jeans and tight-fitting T-shirt, then my goodness.
Yes, he looks like he’s from a ranch in the mid-90s, but rodeo Glen works it well… and we’d like him to bring this look into his real life forevermore, please.
Lucy Mapstone, Entertainment Editor
Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal stole some hearts this year (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
If we’re being honest, Pedro Pascal has never not been one of my top crushes ever since he swanned into Game of Thrones as the disarmingly mesmerising Oberyn Martell 10 (!!!) years ago.
However, 2024 has somehow seen the widely-proclaimed ‘internet daddy’ become even more adorable and swoonworthy in equal measure. As if that was even possible.
One particular standout moment was at the Sag Awards in February. Looking every inch the lead star of a romance novel, he admitted he was ‘a little drunk’ as he accepted an award in a very Mr Darcy-esque white shirt. Colin Firth, eat your heart out.
His friendships with his respective Gladiator and Fantastic Four co-stars Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby have been nothing short of heartwarming, proving yet again how sensitive a soul he has.
As a journalist, I live in hope of the day that I finally get to speak to Pedro myself (hopefully for The Last of Us or The Mandalorian film, two personal favourites), and he compliments my nails (which he has done with multiple other interviewers). I live in hope!
Sabrina Barr, Deputy TV Editor
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