Judi Dench and Daniel Craig named nation's favourite James Bond stars

James Bond stars Daniel Craig and Judi Dench have shot their way into the nation's hearts, being named Britain's favourite movie stars of 2012, a poll showed today.

Craig, who has enjoyed record breaking success with the latest 007 film Skyfall, as well as a cameo appearance in Danny Boyle's Olympic Games opening ceremony, won over a quarter (26%) of the votes for favourite actor.

Meanwhile, his on-screen boss Dench, garnered 27% of the votes, with Britons clearly impressed with her character M's central role in Skyfall, the Sky Movies poll showed.

Ian Lewis, director of Sky Movies, said: "It's been another bumper year for film and for Bond in particular.

"We know Britain loves Bond and clearly the talents of Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench have no small part to play in this."

After five films together, including this year's Dark Shadows, it's no surprise to see Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter together in second place with 11.5% and 10% respectively.

Men In Black star Will Smith finished third in the male vote (11.4%) while Christian Bale, who played Batman in the Dark Knight Rises, won the battle of the superheroes with 7% of the vote, compared to Iron Man Robert Downey Jr's 6%.

It was also a good year for funny women, with What To Expect When You're Expecting star Cameron Diaz and Ted star Mila Kunis coming joint third (6%) in the actress list.

And Anne Hathaway, who played Catwoman in the Dark Knight Rises, rounded off a good year for superhero films, coming in fifth with 5.7% of the vote.

PA