EXCLUSIVE: 'I'd like to settle down and have a baby': Single Sophie Monk says she dreams of meeting Mr Right this year as she gears up for Australia's Got Talent

She was single for much of the last two years single blaming her ungodly hours for getting in the way of finding love.

And despite throwing herself head first into work filming Australia's Got Talent, Sophie Monk, 36, reveals her heart is really focused on finding Mr Right.

The former singer and actress, who has just landed the coveted title of Sexy Australian Of The Year 2016, told Daily Mail Australia: 'I'd really like to settle down and have a baby one day.

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Candid: Australia's Got Talent judge Sophie Monk reveals her heart is really focused on finding Mr Right as she reveals she wants to settle down and have a family

Working women: The 36-year-old says she is focusing on work right now so she can eventually take her foot off the pedal

'I want to bust my a** working then I can step back...My ego doesn't need it anymore.'

Former Popstars winner Sophie is poised to appear as a judge on the talent show alongside Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, Kelly Osbourne and Eddie Perfect, when it airs on 1 February.

Her forthcoming stint on the Channel Nine show comes after she appeared on Celebrity Apprentice last year and after quitting 2DayFM in 2014 as a host, a job which saw her get up at the crack of dawn.

Knowing herself better: The blonde bombshell wants to get work out of the way so she con focus on personal life

'In my industry, I've worked really hard to build up a career and get to where I am. I loved 2DayFm but I'm pleased I left.

'It's worked out really well...Celebrity Apprentice was a crash course in getting to know myself, it taught me how to say "no" and know myself better. 

'I used to spend a whole day trying to work out how to say 'no' to someone and now I just go "nah"'.

The affable blonde went on: 'I feel I know myself better now and I'm enjoying work and I hope [this year] this is my year. They say when you're happy it happens.'

Former flame: Sophie used to date Avatar actor Sam Worthington but the pair no longer speak

Joking about landing the title of 'Sexy Australian Of The Year 2016' after winning the annual poll by hook-up website RedHotPie, she said: "Really? Are you kidding me. I can't even look at myself in underwear.'

The British-born Australian has been finding her feet in the past two years since returning from Los Angeles after ten years.

She fronted 2DayFM with Jules Lund and Merrick Watts but shocked radio bosses by handing in her notice in October 2014 revealing it was time for pastures new.

She was once engaged: The blonde bombshell almost married millionaire Jimmy Esebag, pictured after a romantic break in California in 2011

Sophie has previously agreed her love life has been chequered but she says she has 'learned a lot' and has 'grown up' living in LA.

Former loves include musician Benji Madden, millionaire businessman Jimmy Esebag, to whom she was engaged and Avatar actor Sam Worthington, who currently dates lingerie model Lara Bingle.

More recently she was linked to retired cricketer Shane Warne but insists that was innocent flirting.

She found love in the past: The blonde beauty, pictured with ex boyfriend and fiance Benji Madden, said she'd love to 'date someone taller than me for a change...'

Of Worthington, who has since gone on to marry model Lara Bingle, she has said: 'We're not in touch, I'm a firm believer in moving forward'. 

Of online dating, she's not a fan.

She previously told DMA: 'Online dating? Nah, not for me, I'll figure it out somehow. I'll find a way. It would be nice to date someone different, a footballer or rugby player.... someone my height or taller for a change, I'm 5ft 7ins.'  

Moved on: A series of radio industry shake ups were announced, including the demise of Sophie, Jules Lund (L) and Merrick Watts' breakfast show on 2DayFM