Gravity star Sandra Bullock picked up four trophies at the 40th People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday night, with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Robert Downey Jr among the other winners.

Hosted at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, the ceremony honoured the best in popular culture for 2013.

Bullock, 49, was awarded favourite dramatic, movie and comedic actress, as well as sharing the favourite movie duo prize with George Clooney.

“I know this looks like I spent lonely Friday nights just voting for myself, but I didn’t,” she quipped in her acceptance speech. “ An actor can’t do what they do without hundreds of amazing people working for them, with them, alongside them.”

“Work B***h” singer Spears, 32, won her first People’s Choice Award for favourite pop artist, beating competition from the likes of Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake.

“It’s because of all of you that I’m able to do what I love to do,” she said.

Other success stories included sitcom The Big Bang Theory, named favourite network TV comedy, and superhero blockbuster Iron Man 3, which took three awards including one for lead Downey Jr as favourite action movie star.

Timberlake scored three prizes including favourite album for The 20/20 Experience, while actor Adam Sandler took home the comedic movie actor award.

US TV personality Ellen DeGeneres picked up her 14th People’s Choice Award for favourite daytime TV host, making her the most honoured female in the event’s history.

Jennifer Hudson was awarded the favourite humanitarian prize for her work with children’s charity the Julian D King Gift Foundation, which was set up in honour of her late nephew.

Jessica Alba, Zac Efron, Michael B Jordan and Heidi Klum were among those to make appearances at the event, with One Republic, Sara Bareilles and Brad Paisley performing.

Co-hosts Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs of 2 Broke Girls fame noted that more than 700million votes had been cast ahead of the ceremony.