Poll: Ellen more popular than Oprah

Comedienne Ellen DeGeneres has been voted the US's favourite television personality, beating last year's winner, talkshow host Oprah Winfrey.

Winfrey had reigned supreme on top of the Harris Poll's list of America's most beloved TV stars for five years until being ousted by DeGeneres, last year's number eight.

English actor Hugh Laurie, the star of medical drama House, made it into the top five, with late night TV host Jay Leno and The Daily Show's Jon Stewart.

More talkshow hosts rounded out the top ten with David Letterman, Stephen Colbert and Bill O'Reilly proving popular, along with comic Ray Romano and animated star Homer Simpson.

Analysing the results, Harris commented: "When the ten stars on this list are looked at more closely, a theme emerges. Seven of them have a talkshow - either late night, prime-time or daytime."

"Only one drama star, House's Laurie, is on the list."

The poll revealed a gender bias, with women voting for DeGeneres while men preferred Leno.

"Even among women there is a difference of opinion," revealed Harris. "Single women say Ellen is their favourite while married women pick Oprah."