Aniston scoops award

Friends star Jennifer Aniston has collected the first of this year's major US showbusiness awards - with the aid of a walking stick. After breaking a bone in her foot in a skiing accident, the actress limped on stage to claim her prize for favourite female television performer at the People's Choice Awards in California.

The ceremony signalled the opening of the awards season, which include the Golden Globes next Sunday and the Oscars at the end of March.

For Aniston it was a repeat of her Emmy triumph last year - even though January seems to bring her mixed fortunes. She was hurt in a car crash in Los Angeles almost exactly a year ago.

The 33-year-old actress hobbled down the red carpet in Pasadena last night in a black trouser suit with her right foot in plaster with a plastic protector and wearing a flat black shoe on her left foot.

Aniston told fans she had been injured while skiing with husband Brad Pitt, who was not at the ceremony.

She won for her role as Rachel in Friends, which also had the most votes for best television comedy series in the awards which are decided by a nationwide poll conducted by the Gallup Organisation.

Best film actor was Mel Gibson and best actress Julia Roberts - but neither attended. This was the fourth successive year that Julia Roberts has won a People's Choice accolade so organisers screened highlights of her previous acceptance speeches. Gibson sent his thanks via a video clip.

The Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship of the Ring tied with Spider-man in votes for favourite film and also won the best dramatic film category.

Hollywood institution Tom Hanks attended the awards with wife Rita Wilson. The couple produced last year's surprise box office hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which won the award for best comedy film.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation dethroned ER as favourite television drama series. The best new television drama series was CSI: Miami.

The best new television comedy series was 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.

The US version of Survivor was voted best reality-based television programme in the 29th year of the awards.

Days of Our Lives was best daytime television drama series while America's favourite male television performer was Ray Romano.

The award for favourite group was won by Creed and the Dixie Chicks in another tie.

Rapper Eminem followed his five Grammy nominations last week with best male musical performer. Country singer Faith Hill was favourite female music performer.

The Gallup poll determined both nominees and the winners - who were notified in advance they had won.