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MELBOURNE - Home and Away actress Kate Ritchie is Australia's most popular actress for the second straight year while Rove McManus has returned to the winners circle at the 2007 TV Week Logie Awards last night.
Ritchie's win follows only her second nomination for the Silver Logie category
in 18 years on the soap.
She also won this year's Gold Logie for most popular TV personality which for the first time was being decided by text message voting.
Talk show host McManus this year adds most popular presenter and most popular light entertainment program for Rove Live to his three Gold Logies.
The wins follow his recent return to the small screen after the death of his wife Belinda Emmett.
Wildlife crusader Steve Irwin, killed last year by a stingray barb to the heart, was posthumously honoured with induction into the Logies' Australian TV Hall of Fame.
The award was accepted by his wife Terri Irwin while his daughter Bindi, now a TV star in her own right, presented an award.
The panel of industry professionals who vote on the most outstanding categories almost snubbed the two top commercial networks entirely.
In addition to Ritchie's most popular actress award, Home and Away's Amy Mathews was voted most popular new female talent while Dancing With The Stars, Australia's highest rating series, was the most popular reality series.
McLeod's Daughters leading man Aaron Jeffrey won his second most popular actor award while cast mate Dustin Clare was most popular new male talent.
2007 TV Week Logie Award Winners
Gold Logie - Kate Ritchie (Home and Away)
Most Popular categories (Publicly voted):
Actress - Kate Ritchie (Home and Away)
Actor - Aaron Jeffery (McLeod's Daughters)
Presenter - Rove McManus (Rove Live)
Lifestyle Programme - What's Good For You
Sports Programme - The Footy Show NRL
New Female Talent - Amy Mathews (Home And Away)
New Male Talent - Dustin Clare (McLeod's Daughters)
Australian Drama - Home And Away
Reality Programme - Dancing With The Stars
Light Entertainment Programme - Rove Live
Most Outstanding categories (industry panel judged):
Actor - Matthew Le Nevez (The Society Murders)
Actress - Susie Porter (RAN: Remote Area Nurse)
Comedy Programme - Thank God You're Here
Public Affairs Report - The Terri Irwin Interview
Documentary - Who Killed Dr Bogle And Mrs Chandler
News Coverage - Sexual Abuse In Aboriginal Communities (Lateline)
Sports Coverage - 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany - Italy vs Australia
Factual Series - Dynasties
Children's Programme - The Upside Down Show
Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie - Love My Way
Graham Kennedy Award For Most Outstanding New Talent - Emma Lung (Stranded)
Logie Hall of Fame - Steve Irwin
- AAP