Kylie the top gay icon

Kylie Minogue’s recent comeback following breast cancer treatment has hit a new high, with a British poll naming the diminutive diva the world’s top gay icon.

Minogue beat off a clutch of camp favourites to the crown a week after she resumed the British leg of her Showgirl tour in London.

A survey of about 5,000 gays and lesbians by British market research company OnePoll ranked the Australian singer first out of 50 gay icons.

US star Dolly Parton took out second position and Swedish super group ABBA was third.

John Sewell from OnePoll said Kylie was the embodiment of the modern gay icon.

Kylie Minogue epitomises everything a gay icon should be. She’s glamorous, fun, stylish and just a little bit kitsch, Sewell told British news website 24dash.com.

Other icons in the top 10 included late Hollywood legend Judy Garland (fourth), her daughter Liza Minnelli (10th) and metrosexual pin-up David Beckham (sixth). His wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, came in at number 12.

Minogue’s long-time rival Madonna was ranked seventh. And in an unusual inclusion, Australian singer Peter Andre and his model wife Jordan together took out the ninth spot, ahead of more favoured stars Cher, Elton John and Donna Summer.

In a reflection of the gay community’s affection for dramatic women, performers such as Barbra Streisand (14th), Julie Andrews (25th) and Gloria Gaynor (42nd) all rated. Iconic doll Barbie came in at 21.

But Dannii Minogue was overlooked despite a sizeable gay following and a recent appearance with her older sister on stage in Melbourne.

Male favourites in the top 50 included Rupert Everett (28th), Boy George (37th) and The Village People (39th).

These results reveal a really diverse bunch of people, Sewell said.

You have the obvious choices like Doris Day and Judy Garland, but it’s great to see the likes of -¦ Jordan and Peter in there.

I’m sure they’ll all be proud to be labelled gay icons -“ it’s a real honour and can do wonders for your celebrity status.