Emmerdale, Downton Abbey and Happy Valley were among the big winners. Find out who won what at the 2016 TV Choice Awards.
Dame Barbara Windsor has been honoured for her outstanding contribution to television at the 20th annual TV Choice Awards.
The ceremony saw the biggest names in television being honoured at a star-studded event held at London’s Dorchester hotel.
ITV soap Emmerdale was the other big winner as it was named best soap over EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks for the very first time.
The swansong series of Downton Abbey was named best drama series, while best actor went to Tom Hiddleston for BBC One’s The Night Manager.
Dame Barbara said she was “absolutely delighted” to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Television Award.
She said: “It is such an honour to be recognised by TV Choice and it had not been something I ever expected to receive so I am extremely grateful.
“I have been in the business for over 66 years and I have been fortunate to have been involved in some truly outstanding productions that all mean so much to me, so to know that they also mean a lot to the audience is extremely touching.
“Everyone knows how much love I have for EastEnders and that show has played such a pivotal part in my career, without it I may not be receiving this award. Although Peggy may no longer be with us, she and the show will never leave my heart.”
Walford stalwart Peggy, who had been played by Dame Barbara since 1994, took her own life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in scenes broadcast in May.
Happy Valley’s leading lady, Sarah Lancashire, beat the likes of Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael, Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones and Peaky Blinders star Helen McCrory to be named best actress.
Doctor Foster triumphed in another category as it was named best new drama.
Here is the full list of winners:
Best New Drama – Doctor Foster, BBC One
Best Drama Series – Downton Abbey, ITV
Best Actor Tom Hiddleston – The Night Manager, BBC One
Best Actress – Sarah Lancashire, Happy Valley, BBC One
Best Family Drama – Call The Midwife, BBC One
Best Reality Show – I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, ITV
Best Talent Show – The Great British Bake Off, BBC One
Best Entertainment Show – Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, ITV
Best Lifestyle Show – Gogglebox, Channel 4
Best Daytime Show – This Morning, ITV
Best Food Show – Sunday Brunch, Channel 4
Best International Show – Game Of Thrones, Sky Atlantic
Best Factual Show – Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs, ITV
Best Comedy – Birds Of A Feather, ITV
Best Soap Actor – Danny Miller, Emmerdale, ITV
Best Soap Actress – Lacey Turner, EastEnders, BBC One
Best Soap Newcomer – Shayne Ward, Coronation Street, ITV
Best Soap – Emmerdale, ITV
Outstanding Contribution to Television – Dame Barbara Windsor
