TV Awards hat trick for Doctor Who

'Doctor Who' has taken three of the high profile awards at the National Television Awards in the UK.

Stars Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper were named Most Popular Actor and Actress and the sci-fi series also won the Most Popular Drama award.

Piper collected her award and the Most Popular Drama award but Eccleston was unable to attend the ceremony as he was suffering from flu.

'EastEnders' saw off the challenge from its ITV rival 'Coronation Street' to win the award for Most Popular Serial Drama.

But there was some consolation for 'Coronation Street' when Antony Cotton was named Most Popular Newcomer for his portrayal of Sean Tully in the soap and the show's creator, Tony Warren, was honoured with the TV Landmark Award.

For the fifth year running Ant and Dec shared the Most Popular Entertainment Presenter award and 'X Factor' judge Sharon Osbourne was named Most Popular Expert on TV.

'Big Brother' won the award for Most Popular Reality Programme and 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' was named Most Popular Quiz Programme.

'Little Britain' was named Most Popular Comedy Programme; the show's creators, Matt Lucas and David Walliams, are currently on tour and sent their mothers to collect the award.

There was a Special Recognition Award for chef Jamie Oliver and his show 'Jamie's School Dinners' won the award for Most Popular Factual Programme.

'The Paul O'Grady Show' was named Most Popular Daytime Programme.