Patrick Dempsey is the world’s sexiest man, according to People Magazine.
Dempsey had previously appeared on the yearly issue’s cover, but only as a runner-up.
“I’ve always been the bridesmaid,” the former “Grey’s Anatomy” star told People. Dempsey played Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd on the long-running Shonda Rhimes show from 2005-2015.
“I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life,” he said. “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.”
The actor is passionate about is the Dempsey Center, founded in honor of his late mother to support cancer patients and their families.
Dempsey said he couldn’t believe the news when he first heard it and thought it had to be a joke.
“I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position,” he said.
Fans, however, embraced the magazine's choice. “Y’all took wayyy too long for this one,” one person commented on People's Instagram post.