Photo: © 2010 AAP/BELINDA ROLLAND

Darani is best known for his portrayal of John Ibrahim in the latest series of Underbelly and was favoured to take out the title.

A record 268,000 Cleo readers voted in this year's award, choosing the on-screen gangster above the likes of weatherman James Tobin and animator Jarod Green.

The magazine's editor, Sarah Oakes, had to step out of her heels to hand the award to the short Darani.

He later played the novelty-size key for the car he won like a guitar.