The star of the Scottish time travel drama trumped Comedy Champion Ricky Gervais with 16 million votes in the TV Champion Final
The Outlander star stormed the competition, with his fans racking up millions of votes for him to win Sci-Fi and Fantasy Champion before casting an astonishing 16.5 MILLION votes for him in an epic three day final battle with Ricky Gervais.
“Congratulations to all the competitors in the Radio Times Competition!! Wow. A true list of the most popular and greatest shows/cast on TV” said Heughan, who emerged victorious from the final rounds, during which more than 60 million votes were cast.
“I’m honored and a little, no VERY astonished at the number of votes cast by our dedicated and passionate fans! Can’t thank them enough – many have no fingers left due to intense voting – “Tapadh leibh” to you all!”
HE plays a hunky Highlander in a US cable series that’s never even been screened on British television.
But Sam Heughan, star of time-travelling smash Outlander, is on the verge of scooping the Radio Times TV Champion of Champions award, seeing off some of the biggest names in broadcasting.
The 35-year-old beat heart-throb Poldark actor Aidan Turner in the semi-finals of the online contest and now faces comedy hero Ricky Gervais in the final.
A delighted Sam, who has launched a charity fundraising drive called My Peak Challenge, said: “We’re not on terrestrial television in the UK so it would be terrific to win.
“I’d have to challenge the Radio Times to put us on the front cover if we do. They would have to, wouldn’t they?
“Maybe it proves to the rest of the industry that this show is worth watching.”
The former River City actor, who was filming the second series of Outlander in Glasgow’s Pollok Park last week, had already won the Radio Times sci-fi award before being pitted against other category winners for the overall title.
But it became a battle of the beefcakes in the semi-final when Sam – who plays Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser – went head-to-head with housewives’ favourite Poldark, who won the drama prize.
Sam, who comes from New Galloway in Dumfriesshire, said: “Poldark is one of the biggest shows in the country but I think our fans are just so motivated.
“They team together because they love the show so much – as well as the books the series is based on.
“I heard I got 6.5million votes at one point and I don’t even know how that’s possible. It’s just wonderful that people get behind us.”
Tour parties of American fans have begun flocking to Outlander locations and Sam is proud to be showcasing his home country.
He said: “It really does show Scotland well. It’s as authentic as it can possibly be and it’s wonderful filming here.
“I’d been away from Scotland for 14 years so I’ve rediscovered my own country.
“I just love being outdoors and going up to the Highlands. I’m recognised a bit here but in America it can be quite crazy.
“I did the LA marathon and, when I was heading down Sunset Boulevard, I ran past a huge billboard of myself in Outlander. It was a surreal moment.”
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