National Television Awards: Downton Abbey wins best drama

The final series of ITV’s Downton Abbey has won best drama for the fourth time in five years at the 2016 National Television Awards.

Star Hugh Bonneville thanked the drama’s creator, Julian Fellowes, for “giving us wonderful lines to say”.

BBC drama Doctor Foster collected two awards – best new drama and best drama performance for its star Suranne Jones.

The pregnant actress joked she was missing an antenatal class to attend the ceremony.

“If anyone wants to send me tips on how to give birth that would be useful,” she said as she collected the award, thanking the drama’s writer, Mike Bartlett, for creating “a complex” character.

BBC soap EastEnders was also a double award winner. It beat rivals Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks to receive the prize for best serial drama.

Danny Dyer also received the best serial drama performance prize for a second consecutive year for his role as Mick Carter in the programme.

“I’m so honoured to be part of such a sublime and depressing programme that is EastEnders,” he said while collecting his award.

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were named best TV presenter for the 15th consecutive year.

“It’s getting a bit mental now,” McPartlin said, “but we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Donnelly added: “People ask us does it get boring or old – of course it doesn’t. If anything our gratitude has grown over the years as you never know when you’re going to get it again.”

Ant and Dec show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! won best entertainment – an award it has won every year since 2011.

BBC One show The Great British Bake Off was also named best challenge show for a second consecutive year.

Collecting the award, judge Paul Hollywood said the last series was “the best year we’ve ever had – the bakers were the best”.

Peter Kay’s Car Share beat Benidorm, Birds Of A Feather and Not Going Out to win best comedy.

Kay dedicated the award to Scottish comic Billy Connolly, “my comedy hero”.

Connolly was presented with the special recognition award at the ceremony in honour of his 50-year career.

BBC