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Doctor Who defeated by Downton Abbey at TV Awards

Thursday 26 January, 2012

By Anthony HIll

ITV series claimed top prize at Dermot O'Leary hosted ceremony which also honoured Jonathan Ross

Last night’s broadcast of the National Television Awards saw ITV’s Downton Abbey beat Doctor Who.

The period drama, set on a fictional North Yorkshire estate, was named best drama, outdoing last year’s winner Waterloo Road and the BBC's cult sci-fi series, which had previously taken the prize five years running.

Elsewhere, The X Factor claimed best talent show, while funnyman Alan Carr took the best talk show gong for his Channel 4 ratings hit Alan Carr: Chatty Man. Other nominees included Graham Norton and lunchtime rant-athon Loose Women.

The special recognition award went to Jonathan Ross, who recently departed the BBC following his “Sachsgate” scandal of 2008, when he and fellow presenter Russell Brand made offensive prank phone calls to the actor Andrew Sachs.

As he introduced the chat show host, Bruce Forsyth joked about the incident: “Jonathan has been in showbiz for 25 years. Well, 24 really ... he did have that year off.”

Ross added: “I'm humbled and so grateful to accept it. I'm amazed - like so many of you are - that I'm still working. Thanks to all those who have stood by me. And the ones who didn't ... I understand.”

Other winners at the National TV Awards 2012 included Coronation Street, which pipped arch rival EastEnders to the best serial drama prize, surprise winner Outnumbered, named best sitcom and I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!, which took home best reality show.

In the performance categories Matt Smith and Karen Gillan won the best actor and actress awards for their leading roles in Doctor Who. Katherine Kelly was named best soap star for playing Becky McDonald in Coronation Street and This Morning won best factual programme.

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Geordie duo Ant & Dec, were named best entertainment presenters for the 11th year in a row. Donnelly commented: “We're so honoured and humbled to have got your votes for this. Thank you to everyone who voted.”

All winners at the National Television Awards, hosted this year by Dermot O’Leary, are chosen by the British public. The annual event was first held in 1995, when Eamonn Holmes hosted and Soldier Soldier won best drama.

Photo by Richard Munckton