The British science fiction series Dr. Who won three prizes at the National Television Awards presented Tuesday evening in London.

The modern remake of the classic series, which shows in Canada on CBC Television, came out ahead of U.S. shows such as Lost and Desperate Housewives to take the best drama award.

David Tennant won best actor honours and Billie Piper was named best actress at the National Television Awards in Britain for their roles in Dr. Who.
(CBC/BBC)

David Tennant, who plays Dr. Who, won the best actor award and his sidekick, Billie Piper, won for best actress.

"I'm really chuffed," said Tennant, who took over the lead role after Christopher Eccleston stepped down at the end of the first season. Eccleston won the award in 2005.

"It's been really daunting to come into something that was such a huge success," Tennant said.

The National Television Awards, which began in 1995, are not as prestigious as the British Academy Television Awards, but the results reflect more public input. This year 1.5 million Britons voted for their favourite shows.

Deal or No Deal, the game show whose British host is Noel Edmonds, won the award for best daytime show.

For the second year, BBC series EastEnders took the crown for best serial drama from long-time favourite Coronation Street.

The BBC's Top Gear, whose presenter Richard Hammond was hurt in a high-speed crash in October, won best factual program and Big Brother was named best reality TV show.

Terri Irwin, the wife of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, presented a lifetime achievement award to David Attenborough.