Dark Knight is People's Choice

Christian Bale paid tribute to late star Heath Ledger as their film The Dark Knight swept the boards at the People's Choice Awards.

The Batman flick won every gong it was nominated for at the ceremony in LA, including Favourite Movie, Action Movie, Cast and Superhero.

Christian and Heath - who died last January following an accidental overdose - scooped the Favourite On-Screen Match-Up prize for their performances as Batman and The Joker.

"On behalf of all of the cast from the movie, thank you very much to the fans," said Christian. "Here's to Heath."

Other winners at the ceremony, hosted by Queen Latifah, included Reese Witherspoon, who won Favourite Female Movie Star. "It's such a great way to start the New Year," she said.

Brad Pitt clinched Favourite Leading Man and Angelina Jolie scooped Favourite Female Action Star. Will Smith was named both the Favourite Male Action Star and Male Movie Star and Kate Hudson was declared the Favourite Leading Lady.

Chris Brown walked off with the male singer gong and Carrie Underwood was named Favourite Female Singer.

In the TV categories, Ellen DeGeneres won Favourite Talk Show Host.

"I wish I could share this with you," she said as she accepted the accolade. "I could throw it on the ground and smash it into a million pieces, and give each one of you a little piece of it, but that's violent, and that's probably why you voted for me, because I'm not violent."

The best television comedy was Two And A Half Men and The Simpsons was named Favourite Animated Comedy.