In the movies, a scorned official often pokes his chubby finger at an adversary, barks the words "A year in politics is a long time!", storms out and flags down a yellow cab. Equally gung-ho claims can be found in the courtroom drama and in films about big business. Thankfully though, no director has yet subjected cinema audiences to the phrase: "A year in international sales marketing is a long time!" But in the world of showbusiness, 12 months really is forever. article continued below...

• "Stars In Their Eyes" (1990) TV Series .... Presenter (2004-)
• Brit Awards 2004 (2004) (TV) .... Host
• "Ministry of Mayhem" (2004) TV Series .... Herself- CD:UK Rundown
• "Stars In Their Eyes Kids" (2001) TV Series .... Presenter (Series 2- ) (2003- )
• "This Morning" (1988) TV Series .... Guest Presenter (2003)

Careers are broken on the back of sleazy "nine-in-a-bed romp" stories; dribbling stalkers force celebrities into retirement; newcomers wriggle out of their shells and emerge as shining stars. This time last year, a bubbly brunette from Birmingham was told that she'd been voted into the top ten in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women poll. The then almost completely unknown Cat Deeley - who wowed readers after a stunning FHM photo shoot at the start of 1998 - was a minor celeb hosting a couple of shows on MTV.

Still a top ten beauty, Cat's now hit the big time. In the past year, she's established herself as one of the hottest names on the hugely competitive youth TV circuit, co-hosting Saturday morning music show CD:UK and the cheeky kids' programme SMTV:Live, alongside the hilarious Geordie pairing, Ant and Dec. Now 22, Cat has also hit the headlines over her alleged relationship with smooth Fun Lovin' Criminals singer, Huey. Elsewhere, she's reported to have "had talks" about the Big Breakfast job (which she claims she wouldn't take), and even done voiceovers for adverts - despite her lingering Brummie twang. So has this been, ahem, "The year of the Cat"? "I don't know," she ponders in a London restaurant, gnawing on a seafood platter that could feed a junior school. "Yeah, I've done alright. I think the time I most thought, 'This is what it's all about,' was on a show a while back when Bagpuss came on to SMTV:Live.

Then in the same show I interviewed Debbie Harry, and she said the next time I was in New York I should cvall her, and gave me her personal number. Bagpuss and Blondie - that's what it's all about." Are you ever brought down to earth with a bump? Sometimes I have to deal with older people in the business, who don't speak to you like they should. I know I've got a lot to learn, but I don't need to be treated like I'm the bit of skirt. It's frustrating when you can't change their opinion in ten minutes.

• Ranked 7th sexiest woman in FHM. [2001]
• Came in at #12 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Girls of 2002 poll, UK edition. [June 2002]
• Won award: Favourite UK cable personality - The Scorpio Multimedia Cable TV Awards 2002.
• Likes to present barefoot on MTV.