BBC's Doctor Who scoops three TV awards

LONDON, Nov 1 (Reuters) The BBC's ''Doctor Who'' has triumphed at the National Television Awards, winning three prizes, including best drama.

The latest Time Lord David Tennant and his sidekick Billie Piper scooped the best actor and best actress awards at a central London ceremony.

The remake of the classic science-fiction series saw off competition from US shows ''Lost'', ''Desperate Housewives'', and the home grown prison drama ''Bad Girls''.

''I think if my eight-year-old self could see me at the Royal Albert Hall winning a prize for playing the doctor on telly, he would need a stiff shot of Irn-Bru,'' Tennant said.

Organisers said more than 1.5 million votes were cast by the public before the annual awards ceremony yesterday.

Other winners included the BBC's ''Top Gear'', which landed the Best Factual Programme award just weeks after one of its presenters was badly hurt in a high-speed crash during filming.

Host Jeremy Clarkson said the gong was a ''tonic'' for the team after Richard Hammond's accident in a jet-powered car.

''I wish Richard could be with us,'' Clarkson told the Sun.

''It's been a torrid few weeks. We plan to get sloshed.'' Channel 4's ''Big Brother'' was named best reality TV show, while Noel Edmonds picked up the best daytime programme award for ''Deal Or No Deal''.

The BBC's ''EastEnders'' won the battle of the soaps, beating ITV rival ''Coronation Street''.

Geordie duo Ant and Dec picked up two gongs: best entertainment presenters and best quiz for ''Ant and Dec's Gameshow Marathon''.

''Little Britain'' was named best comedy show, while ''X Factor'' won the best popular entertainment programme award.

Wildlife programme presenter David Attenborough was given a lifetime achievement prize.

REUTERS MS KP1343