Norton beats 'the Link'
Two of Channel 4’s top comic talents, Ali G and Graham Norton, were celebrating today after picking up a pair of trophies each at the Bafta TV Awards.
And the station was the toast of the star-studded ceremony as it swept the board by landing 11 of the titles for its shows.
Norton repeated his success of last year by again landing the prize for best entertainment performance.
And his hilarious late night chat show grabbed the best entertainment programme title, beating Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and The Weakest Link.
‘‘I can’t believe we beat the Link - how mad is that? I’m so pleased the show has won a prize. It’s brilliant,’’ said Norton, 38, as he collected the prize.
Ali G creator Sacha Baron Cohen looked genuinely surprised as he won his gongs. The spoof character - known for his interviews with unsuspecting celebrities - regularly makes it on to prize shortlists but has rarely landed any awards.
He won the best comedy performance and comedy programme titles for Da Ali G Show and had guests in stitches when he picked up his first award in mock Shakespearean style.
‘‘Playing the role of Ali G has been such a challenge. He’s such an exuberant fella,’’ Baron Cohen told guests.
‘‘If he was here he would no doubt say something along the lines of ‘Boyakasha’, or ‘Respect’ or something like that.’’
The comic’s alter ego has been one of the station’s biggest successes of recent years and graduated from a slot on The 11 O’Clock Show to his own series, while a film is in the pipeline.
ITV’s Emmerdale pulled off a coup by beating EastEnders and Coronation Street to the title of Best Soap.
However, there were still celebrations for Corrie stars as the world’s longest-running TV soap was given a special award for its contribution to television in its 40th year.
Show creator Tony Warren was in tears as he picked up the prize at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
He said: ‘‘As father of the show I would like to thank the Academy for recognising four decades of great scriptwriters, of very perceptive casting, of production values that have never flinched and a whole cavalcade of performers. Thanks very much.’’
Sir Michael Gambon was named Best Actor for the second year running for his performance in the Channel 4 epic Longitude, which was named best drama serial.
And the BBC 1 film Last Of The Blonde Bombshells landed Dame Judi Dench the title of best actress, although she was unable to attend due to filming commitments. Her daughter Finty Williams collected the prize on her behalf.
Veteran TV astronomer Sir Patrick Moore was another special award winner for his contribution to TV, accepting the prize from astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
The Sky At Night host said: ‘‘I must say I feel really overwhelmed as there are so many people here who have done so much more than I have. After all I have merely done some commentating. I don’t think for one moment I deserve this award, but I’m grateful.’’
BBC 2’s Louis Theroux saw off heavyweight competition from Michael Parkinson and Jeremy Paxman to pick up the best presenter title.
Broadcaster Esther Rantzen was in the audience to hear Sir David Frost pay tribute to her late husband Desmond Wilcox, to whom the event was dedicated.
Wilcox, who died in September, was an esteemed documentary maker whose programmes included a series about the Boy David, whose face was reconstructed.
John Thaw picked up two prizes - a Bafta Fellowship, the organisation’s highest honour, and the Lew Grade Audience Award, voted for by Radio Times readers, for Inspector Morse, which ended last year after 13 years.
Guests at the event wore a succession of glamorous and revealing outfits.
Hollyoaks star Joanna Taylor turned up in a plunge-fronted black Jenny Packham gown which showed off her cleavage. The actress confessed she was held in with toupee tape.
Countdown boffin Carol Vorderman disclosed she had been told to cover up this year after arriving at the bash in a skimpy strapless turquoise dress 12 months ago.
This time she went for a more modest but equally glamorous long red satin frock with matching arm-length gloves.
‘‘My boss told me to cover up,’’ she said.
EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite wore a dazzling £10,000 De Beers diamond necklace and a backless gown, which showed she had spent a little too much time outside in the current heatwave.
