Ali G takes top TV award

Ali G has good reason to celebrate

Comedy star Ali G has been voted personality of the year at the TV Quick Awards.

The spoof hip-hop character, the creation of Sacha Baron Cohen, saw off the challenge of Michael Barrymore and Big Brother presenter Davina McCall to win the top prize.

In the battle of the soaps, Coronation Street trounced EastEnders, claiming a hat-trick of awards.

Top TV Quick winners

TV personality of the year - Sacha Baron Cohen, Da Ali G Show

Best soap actress - Samantha Giles, Emmerdale

Best soap actor - Martin Kemp, EastEnders

Best actress - Sarah Lancashire, Clocking Off, Seeing Red

Best actor - David Jason, All The King's Men, A Touch Of Frost

Best soap - Coronation Street

The ITV show took the title of best soap ahead of its BBC rival for the first time in four years.

Tina O'Brien, who plays the Street's schoolgirl mum, Sarah Louise Platt, was voted best new soap star, while the teenage pregnancy was voted best storyline.

Elsewhere, TV favourite David Jason picked up the best actor award for Frost and All The King's Men and Sarah Lancashire was named best actress for Seeing Red and Clocking Off.

Ali G has become a cult figure since coming to the attention of the nation with a slot on Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show.

Tina O'Brien (left) was voted best soap newcomer

His mickey-taking chats with politicians and other prominent public figures were so successful he was awarded his own spin-off series - Da Ali G Show.

More recently he appeared in the video for Madonna's number one UK single, Music.

BBC One's The Royle Family added to its growing collection of awards by being voted best comedy, while three shows - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Ground Force and Friends - picked up gongs for the second year running.

There was some consolation for EastEnders as former Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp was named best soap actor for his portrayal as nightclub boss Steve Owen.

Commended: David Jason's performance in All The King's Men

Emmerdale's Samantha Giles, who plays Woolpack landlady Bernice Blackstock, won the female equivalent.

Naked Chef Jamie Oliver was named best TV cook in the awards, voted for by readers of the TV Quick magazine.

The ceremony, which raised money for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity was hosted by Jonathan Ross.

Full list of winners:

TV personality of the year - Sacha Baron Cohen (Da Ali G Show, Channel 4)
Best soap actress - Samantha Giles (Emmerdale, ITV)
Best soap actor - Martin Kemp (EastEnders, BBC One)
Best actress - Sarah Lancashire (Clocking Off, BBC One; Seeing Red, ITV)
Best actor - David Jason (All The King's Men, BBC One; A Touch Of Frost, ITV)
Best soap - Coronation Street (ITV)
Best soap storyline - Sarah Louise's pregnancy (Coronation Street, ITV)
Best loved drama - Bad Girls (ITV)
Best children's show - SM:TV Live (ITV)
Best TV cook - Jamie Oliver (The Naked Chef, BBC Two)
Best lifestyle show - Ground Force (BBC One)
Best factual programme - Walking With Dinosaurs (BBC One)
Best comedy show - The Royle Family (BBC One)
Best entertainment show - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (ITV)
Best new soap/actor/actress - Tina O'Brien (Coronation Street, ITV)
Best TV import - Friends (Channel 4/Sky One)
Best new drama - At Home With The Braithwaites (ITV)