Dame Judi named best British actor (From Knutsford Guardian)

Dame Judi named best British actor

1:50pm Friday 1st March 2013 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Dame Judi Dench has been named Britain's greatest actor, ahead of figures such as Lord Olivier and Sir John Mills.

The 78-year-old Oscar winner, who played M for the last time in the James Bond series last year, triumphed in the poll which put women on top, with Dame Maggie Smith finishing second.

Nostalgia magazine Best Of British, which polled its readers, found broadcaster Sir David Attenborough to be the greatest living British man, while the Queen was the top living British woman.

The top male in the great British actor list was Sir Michael Caine, who celebrates his 80th birthday this month and finished third.

Daniel Day-Lewis - who won a record-breaking third best actor Oscar on Sunday for his role in Lincoln - was number five in the list.

Lord Olivier was sixth and Sir John Mills was placed at number eight.

Other top choices were Kind Hearts And Coronets - named best British film - and Only Fools And Horses, which was the best British TV show.

The Two Ronnies were declared the best comedy act while the Beatles were named best music act.

The polls were carried out for the March 2013 Best Of British, which is the magazine's 200th edition and is out now.