(01 December 2012 4:00 pm) 

MUMBAI: Internet major Yahoo! has announced that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, became the most searched celebrity this year, rising up from number three in 2011.

Kate has grown into her role as future Queen, embarking on a well-received overseas tour with Prince William. She was also an enthusiastic supporter from the stands during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in her role as ambassador.

Her high profile in the Press both in the UK and abroad combined with the furore around the topless photographs published by a French magazine ensured her status as most searched celebrity. Prince Harry's antics in Las Vegas combined with his training to be a Apache helicopter pilot prior to his posting in Afghanistan saw him take the number seven slot.

In the battle between X Factor judges (one current, one former),Tulisa pips Cheryl Cole to the number two spot. Both have solo albums out this year but Cheryl's reunion with Girls Aloud was not enough to beat Tulisa's X Factor fame. The rise and rise of One Direction saw them placed sixth. The five piece broke records this year in America and at home, leaving other teen stars The Wanted and Justin Bieber out of the top twenty.

The tragic deaths of Robin Gibbs and Whitney Houston mean the pair are at number five and number eight respectively. One celeb who has seen a massive drop this year is Katie Price. She topped the list in 2011 but finishes 12th this year. Other notable celebs are Rihanna, who keeps us guessing with her relationship with Chris Brown; Twilight stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart; and Amanda Holden.