Bionic star tops bad accent poll

Ryan is best known for playing Zoe Slater in the BBC's EastEnders

Michelle Ryan has topped a poll of the worst American accents used by British actors in US television series.

She won for her portrayal of the Bionic Woman, while comic Eddie Izzard came second in the survey for his work in The Riches.

Anna Friel's American accent in Pushing Daisies was voted third-worst, ahead of Hugh Laurie in House and then Ian McShane in western drama Deadwood.

More than 3,000 fans voted in the poll, organised by the Radio Times website.

"Just as Dick Van Dyke struggled with his English accent in Mary Poppins, so too are some Brits failing to pull off convincing American accents," said the magazine's online editor, Helen Hackworthy.

Cancelled

Ryan's high-profile US debut in Bionic Woman was cut short earlier this year when NBC axed the show after eight episodes.

She will soon be seen in ITV1's Mister Eleven alongside fellow Briton Sean Maguire - sixth in the poll for his work in comedy series The Class.

Joely Richardson and Louise Lombard came eight and ninth for their accents in Nip/Tuck and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation respectively.

Actor Dominic West rounded off the top 10 for his vocal work in police drama The Wire.