These days, the secret, sordid sex tape is a mainstay of many a celebrity CV. From Paris Hilton to Colin Farrell, we chronicle the rise of the reluctant porn star

Abi Titmus

There are a number of ways to become famous these days. Former nurse Abi's route took in a filmed romp involving ex-Blue Peter presenter John Lesley and an unknown - but very friendly - brunette.

While the tape represented yet another nail in the coffin of Lesley's career, it gave Titmus the Z-list profile she craved as she went on to star in a series of 'Lad's mags' photo shoots and reality TV shows.

Paris Hilton

Said to be one of the most popular internet searches, the words 'Paris Hilton sex tape' have defined the hotel heiress' career as a dizzy, brainless blonde. Co-starring Pamela Anderson's new husband Rick Saloman, Paris plays the lead role, only pausing to answer her mobile phone!

To this day Hilton claims she has never seen One Night in Paris and while she insists on distancing herself from her internet cameo, it proved to be the catalyst for a blossoming celebrity career that now includes her own clothing range, a premium perfume, roles in TV and film and a best-selling book.

Pamela Anderson

It's not a claim to fame most people would shout from the rooftops but Pammy's honeymoon antics with ex-husband Tommy Lee became the biggest selling porn film of all time. Not unused to baring flesh following a series of Playboy spreads, Anderson added two more sex tapes to her portfolio; one with Tommy again in a London gym in 2004, and another with ex-boyfriend Bret Michaels.

As with Paris Hilton, rather than damage her career, Pammy's willingness to 'film all' seems only to have prolonged the appeal of the Baywatch icon. And it has certainly boosted her bank balance, with numerous cameo film roles and TV appearances coming her way.

Jordan

The glamour model, aka Katie Price, was said to be distraught when a sex tape featuring her and ex-lover Dane Bowers was stolen from her car in 2001.

But over-exposure has never really been an issue Jordan has worried about and her 'career' went from strength to strength after she married Peter Andre following their stint on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

She continues to be a regular on TV, the tabloids and the pages of glossy men's magazines.

Colin Farrell

Miami Vice star Colin Farrell has always been proud of his womanising ways but he wasn't a happy bunny when a video of him romping with pin-up girl Nicole Narain hit the net.

The 30-year-old Dubliner entered into a legal fight with the porn company which had managed to get hold of the three-year-old film. Farrell won his legal battle but it didn't stop his naughty night with Nicole being seen by some web surfers.

Two years on from his sex tape tussle and Farrell is seemingly a changed man. His wild boy antics have subsided and he is said to have mellowed considerably since the birth of his son, James, with ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave.

Tom Sizemore

Saving Private Ryan star Tom can lay claim to being the king of the celebrity sex tape. But his EIGHT-hour epic, shot in 2005 with a whole host of women was mostly thanks to an unusual medical condition.

The actor was diagnosed as suffering from priapism - an unusual and painful state which leaves its victim permanently stiff in a very private area. Tom made the most of his complaint by rigging video cameras up around his house, which over a three-year period documented his activities with a string of women he had lured back to his California pad. Three tapes were later stolen and published on the internet.

Today, Tom is still trying to repair his shattered reputation following years of drugs and sex scandals. That effort has not been helped by his recent incarceration for drug offences.

Sex tape quickies

Britney Spears
Britney's ex Kevin Federline is said to have been offered £16 million for the rights to distribute a four-hour sex tape shot on his and Britney's honeymoon in 2005. The video has still not come to light and even if it does, it's likely to be far less embarrassing the Britney's usual antics.

Jane Fonda
Veteran actress Jane has been linked to a number of sex tape scandals. According to a former editor of Hustler magazine, Allen MacDonald, the Oscar winner made a video of herself and her third ex-husband, TV tycoon Ted Turner, in a threesome with a pretty brunette. Two other ex-editors at Hustler have alleged that they've seen the tape.

Imogen Thomas
It took the former Miss Wales contestant to find fame on Big Brother before her filmed steamy romp with an ex really became hot property.

Eve
The rapper made a sex tape in 1999 of which a brief clip was posted on the internet in 2005.

Ulrika Johnsson
Ulrika won a court order banning footballer Stan Collymore from selling an explicit video of the pair indulging in sexual activity shortly after their explosive relationship.

Marilyn Monroe
Hidden in an attic somewhere in Hollywood Hills, there is rumoured to be a grainy, 16mm home movie of the late screen queen having sex with a man on a couch. The tape dates back to 1948.