Pop stars, politicians, businesspeople and television presenters are among those who have made it on to the list of the most influential people in Essex.

The inaugural Essex Power 100 is a rundown of the most influential people either residing in or from the county.

It has been compiled from a public shortlist of nominations and then narrowed down and ordered by a team of 11 expert judges.

Secretary of State for International Development and Witham MP Priti Patel was third, beaten only by The Apprentice’s Sir Alan Sugar and owner of Billericay Town Football Club, Glenn Tamplin.

Matthew Martino, a member of the Essex Power 100 organising committee, said: “With Ms Patel it was her work with the foreign aid budget which influenced judges.

“She has always stuck to her guns as well. She has received a lot of stick but has stuck to her principles and been quite vocal in that regard.

“She is a real role model for Asian women in particular in the UK.”

Colchester legend Dermot O’Leary made number 10 and Robbie Cowling number 36 of the Essex Power 100 list.

Mr Martino said X Factor host and BBC Radio 2 presenter Dermot O’Leary was called a “television legend” by judges while U’s owner Robbie Cowling was praised for turning the clubs finances around.

Witham heartthrob Olly Murs’ heart might have skipped a beat when he heard he was 11 places below Joey Essex in 15th, but he was the highest musician listed in the poll. 

Essex County Councillor for Bocking, Stephen Canning, reached number 50, above household names like Tipping Point host Ben Shepard and 2016 X Factor contestant and Maldon resident Sam Callahan.

Mr Canning became the council’s youngster ever councillor in 2015, at the age of just 22. 

Judges called him a “certain future MP” saying he was a “bright young man with his head screwed on”.

Mr Canning said: “It is a shock and a pleasant surprise. I think it is important to use the platform I have to further the image of the county generally.”

Halstead's community stalwart and charity ambassador George Courtauld OBE made the list, coming in at number 28.

Mr Martino said: “Essex has a varied range of talent from millionaire businesspeople through to sporting stars.

“We wanted to gauge how much influence these people actually have. We decided to get organisations from Essex involved in helping us decide as well. We set out to find people who have a real positive impact on the county.”

Stanway favourite Stevi Ritchie also made the cut at number 89. Whilst for completely different reasons, Dr Dominique Tropeano from Colchester Zoo, is number 75.

The top 20 in full:

1.) Lord Sugar – Billionaire business magnate

2.) Glenn Tamplin – Multi-millionaire & Owner of Billericay Town FC

3.) Priti Patel MP – Member of Parliament

4.) Joey Essex – TV Personality (ex TOWIE)

5.) Danny Dyer – Actor

6.) Sir Eric Pickles – Former Member of Parliament

7.) Gemma Collins – TV Personality (TOWIE)

8.) Sir Jack Petchey – Business magnate and philanthropist

9.) David Sullivan – Co Owner of West Ham United

10.) Dermot O’Leary – TV Presenter

11.) Deborah Meaden – Multi-millionaire businesswoman

12.) Russell Brand – Comedian

13.) Mark Wright – TV Personality

14.) Ray Winstone – Actor

15.) Olly Murs – Singer/Songwriter

16.) Dame Maggie Smith – Actress

17.) Bhiku and Vijay Patel – Multi-millionaire entrepreneurs

18.) Lord Hanningfield – Member of House of Lords

19.) Amy Childs – TV Personality (ex TOWIE)

20.) Ronald “Ron” Martin – Owner of Southend United FC

View the full list at www.essexpower100.co.uk.