LONDON - ACTRESS Kate Beckinsale says she finds her title of sexist woman alive bestowed by Esquire magazine last month, 'mortifying'.

'It's such a nice thing to happen and then immediately it's mortifying,' she said, admitting she's struggling to adjust to the new title.

'Somebody came up to me in the street and went 'are you the sexiest woman alive?' and I went 'yes' and then I thought 'errrggh I can't say yes to that!

'I should be shot on sight for that, it's awful!' she joked.