Des Lynam was the anchor for the BBC's World Cup 98 coverage

It was not just comedy in which viewers preferred programmes with a pedigree.

Best ever one-off TV drama went to Cathy Come Home, a depiction of homelessness first shown in 1966.

I Claudius, the series which won established thespian Derek Jacobi a Bafta in 1976, won best period drama - beating recent attempts like Pride and Prejudice.

The Teletubbies, who might have been expected to take the children's television category was pipped to the post by Play School, which ran for 24 years from the mid-60s. It won the best pre-school introduction to television award.

But with so many BBC programmes grabbing all the top slots, ITV will be pleased to see that Coronation Street took the coveted soap opera category away from Eastenders.

Kate Adie has become known for fearless reporting in the world's danger zones

People awards

The award for top entertainer went to Bruce Forsyth who was given an OBE earlier this year.

Match of the Day god, sports broadcaster Des Lynam, was named best Host With The Most while Kate Adie was named Best Radio/TV Journalist.

Staying power

A spokeswoman said that the results underlined the staying power of quality programmes.

She stressed that the results did not suggest an old readership, insisting that over half the readers are aged between 15 and 44.

Radio Times Editor Sue Robinson said: "These programmes have won because they are ageless and timeless. Many were innovative and have set trends and established formulas which have been copied endlessly."

Full list of winners:

• Best Comedy show - Morecambe & Wise.
• Best Period Drama - I, Claudius.
• Best Host With The Most - Des Lynam.
• Best Police/Detective Drama - Inspector Morse.
• Best TV/ Radio Journalist - Kate Adie.
• Best Soap Opera - Coronation Street.
• Best Radio Drama - The Archers.
• Best TV Entertainer - Bruce Forsyth.
• Best one-off TV drama - Cathy Come Home.
• Best TV Documentary Series - Around The World In 80 Days.
• Funniest Radio Programme - Hancock's Half-Hour.
• Best Television Sitcom- Only Fools And Horses.
• Best Pre-School Introduction To TV - Play School.
• Best TV Drama Series - All Creatures Great And Small.
• Sexiest Woman On TV - Francesca Annis.
• Sexiest Doctors On TV - Dr Doug Ross (George Clooney), ER; Dr Beth Glover (Amanda Burton), Peak Practice.