Julia's the people's choice

She has spent most of the year away from Hollywood enjoying married life - but nothing, it seems, can dim America's love affair with Julia Roberts.

The star of Erin Brockovich and America's Sweethearts last night picked up a People's Choice award for a record-breaking ninth time and for the fifth successive year - despite a career that has become increasingly low-key.

In recent interviews she has expressed a desire to get away from Hollywood to live quietly with her new cameraman husband, Danny Moder. But despite only one major role, as pioneering 1950s feminist university lecturer in Mona Lisa Smile, the former Oscar winner swept aside the competition to win favourite motion picture actress at the awards, which are based on votes cast by members of the public through a Gallup poll.

Mel Gibson, another star with little to show at the box office recently, took the award for best actor, joking: "I'm rather surprised at winning, since I wasn't actually in a motion picture this year. Maybe that's why?"

Tom Hanks, who was last seen in Catch Me If You Can nearly a year ago, was voted all-time entertainer.

In what may be sign of things to come in Golden Globes and Oscars in the next two months, the final part of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, The Return Of The King, won the dramatic motion picture award. Pirates Of The Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, was voted favourite motion picture and Jim Carrey's Bruce Almighty was most popular comedy.

In the TV awards, Friends took the comedy prize for what could be the sixth and last time. The hit series ends later this year after its 10th season. Jennifer Aniston was chosen as favourite female performer. The US version of Survivor won best reality-based programme and Oprah Winfrey was named best talk show host.

For music, Beyoncé tied with country star Faith Hill as favourite female musical performer.