Outrageous Fortune tops awards

Stars of the TV series Outrageous Fortune have held onto their hotly contested titles in the TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards.  

Robyn Malcolm, who plays tough-as-nails matriarch Cheryl West in Outrageous Fortune, has been voted Sexiest Woman for the third year running and Best Actress on television for the sixth year in a row. 

Malcolm's co-star in the hit TV series, Antony Starr, holds onto his Sexiest Man title for the second year and the Best Actor gong for the third time. 

Considered a sex symbol on-screen, Starr says off-screen it's a different story.

"If I was treated like that I would probably go and hide in a cave somewhere because I'd be too embarrassed. I tend to slip under the radar in that department which is fine by me," he says.

In the Sexiest Woman category, Malcolm beat runner-up and Breakfast presenter Pippa Wetzell by a mere 73 votes and while she's flattered at the result says she is a "pretty normal sort of a bird".  

"Perhaps in other parts of the world, the Angelina Jolies get elevated to those positions. But I like that in New Zealand we seem to like our girls normal."

Outrageous Fortune also topped the Best Drama category for the fifth year running.

TVNZ and TV3 presenters and shows dominated the remaining categories, which attracted more than 13,000 votes from the TV viewing public over a three-week period.

In the news and current affairs arena, TV ONE's Peter Williams was voted Best News Presenter, beating runner-up and long-standing category winner Simon Dallow, by nearly 600 votes.    

TV3's John Campbell sneaked past Paul Henry to take the Best Current Affairs Presenter title while the battle at 6pm was won by One News, which took out the Best News category with 3 News runner-up.   

Best Current Affairs went to 60 Minutes (TV3) with Campbell Live (TV3) in second place.

The sun will be shining on TV ONE's Breakfast team with Tamati Coffey winning Best Weather Presenter and the live weekday morning show voted Best Lifestyle Show.   

Television and radio personality Jason Gunn was again popular with voters winning Best General Presenter for a third year for Dancing With The Stars (TV ONE) and Funniest Person on TV, beating runner-up Rhys Darby by 608 votes.

TV Guide editor Julie Eley says the voter turnout was strong which pulled through new winners.

"The best presenter categories are always interesting to watch as they change each year.  Peter Williams has been a wonderful addition to our screens over more than three decades and it's fantastic to see his contribution to ONE News recognised, along with long-time favourites Jason Gunn and Kevin Milne."

The full list of results is in this week's TV Guide, on sale 18 March. 

TV GUIDE BEST ON THE BOX PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2010 - Winners

SEXIEST WOMAN

Robyn Malcolm (Cheryl West - Outrageous Fortune TV3)

SEXIEST MAN

Antony Starr (Jethro/ Van West - Outrageous Fortune TV3)

BEST ACTOR

Antony Starr (Jethro/ Van West - Outrageous Fortune TV3)

BEST ACTRESS

Robyn Malcolm (Cheryl West - Outrageous Fortune TV3)

 BEST PRESENTER, NEWS

Peter Williams (TV ONE)

BEST PRESENTER, CURRENT AFFAIRS

John Campbell (Campbell Live TV3) BEST PRESENTER, GENERAL

Jason Gunn (Dancing With The Stars TV ONE)

BEST PRESENTER, LIFESTYLE/ ADVICE

Kevin Milne (Fair Go TV ONE)

BEST PRESENTER, WEATHER

Tamati Coffey (Breakfast TV ONE)

BEST PRESENTER, SPORT

Hamish McKay (TV3)

RISING STAR

Ido Drent (Shortland Street TV2) FUNNIEST PERSON ON TV Jason Gunn (Dancing With The Stars/ Wheel Of Fortune TV ONE)

BEST NEWS

One News (TV ONE)

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS

60 Minutes (TV3)

BEST SPECIAL EVENT

Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (C4)

BEST DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Intrepid Journeys (TV ONE)

BEST ENTERTAINMENT SHOW

Dancing With The Stars (TV ONE) BEST KIDS' SHOW

What Now (TV2)

BEST DRAMA

Outrageous Fortune (TV3)

BEST COMEDY

bro'Town (TV3)

BEST REALITY SERIES

Police Ten-7 (TV2)

BEST LIFESTYLE SHOW

Breakfast (TV ONE)

 BEST ADVICE SHOW

Fair Go (TV ONE)

BEST SPORTS SHOW

ITM Fishing Show (TV3)

- © Fairfax NZ News