TV Story

07 January 2009 18:13 BST

Michelle Ryan voted 'worst US accent'

Former EastEnders actress Michelle Ryan has topped a poll of the worst attempts at a US accent.

Ryan, 24, recently starred as Jaime Sommers in the US show Bionic Woman, before it was cancelled after just one season due to the writers' strike.

Comedian Eddie Izzard came second in the Radio Times poll for his performance as Wayne Malloy in The Riches.

Another former British soap star, Anna Friel, took the bronze medal for the worst US accent after her turn as Charlotte 'Chuck' Charles in Pushing Daises.

Surprisingly fourth place went to Hugh Laurie for his Golden Globe-winning performance as Dr Gregory House in the hit show House.

Editor of Radio Times' website, Helen Hackworthy, said: "Just as Dick Van Dyke struggled with his English accent in Mary Poppins, so too are some Brits failing to pull off convincing American accents."

Also in the list of worst accents was Lovejoy actor Ian McShane for his portrayal of Al Swearengen in Deadwood.

Making up the top ten were Sean Maguire in The Class, Minnie Driver in The Riches, Joely Richardson in Nip/Tuck, Louise Lombard in CSI and Dominic West in The Wire.

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