Coronation Street stars led the tributes to their late colleague Anne Kirkbride at Wednesday night’s National Television Awards, though the ITV soap ended the night empty-handed.
Kirkbride’s screen husband William Roache - who worked alongside her for 40 years - declared “I love you Anne” after speaking warmly of his “vibrant, warm-hearted, loving” colleague in a speech that left many in tears.
And as EastEnders beat Corrie to the best soap prize actor Adam Woodyatt said the BBC1 show would be nothing without its ITV competitor.
In reference to a celebrated storyline in which Kirkbride’s character Deirdre was wrongly jailed, Woodyatt (who plays Ian Beale) said: “If you don’t mind, we’d like to accept this for the Weatherfield One.”
Other winners at the annual ceremony staged at London’s O2 Arena included the Great British Bake Off, for its first series on BBC1 after switching from BBC2, Channel 4’s Gogglebox and David Tennant, who received the special recognition award.
Ant and Dec were double winners as they took the best entertainment presenter prize for the 14th successive year, while their series I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! landed the best entertainment programme trophy - beating another of their shows, Saturday Night Takeaway.
Actor Sheridan Smith landed the best drama performance prize for ITV biopic Cilla, but failed to make it to the ceremony on time after her taxi got stuck in traffic en route, causing her to turn up late with an apology.
And The X Factor beat Strictly Come Dancing to the best talent show prize despite trailing in the ratings to the BBC1 show last year.
Viewers of the ceremony were able to see Strictly host Claudia Winkleman mouth the word “what?” when her BBC1 show was beaten to the prize.
But it was the death of Kirkbride on Monday that cast a long shadow. Street colleagues including Barbara Knox and Sally Dynevor attended the ceremony despite still grieving, and just a day after filming on the soap was abandoned as the cast came to terms with their loss.
Roache, standing beneath a huge image of Kirkbride’s face, told guests from the TV world: “I feel so blessed, honoured and privileged to have had those years working with Anne.
“What we’ll remember the most is the vibrant, warm-hearted, loving person who came to work each day, gave us all a hug and brightened up our lives.
“Together with Anne’s brother John and his family, David, and her Coronation Street family, and especially Beverley Callard – who was very close to Anne in her last days – we’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of love for Anne since she passed away on Monday evening.”
His voice trembling with emotion, he said: “We share your grief and sadness at losing such a beautiful person who’ll be so greatly missed by us all.” He added: “I love you, Anne. Thank you.”
Woodyatt, collecting the top soap prize for EastEnders, acknowledged the key role of its TV rival.
BBC1’s Mrs Brown’s Boys took the comedy prize, with star and creator Brendan O’Carroll joking: “I’d like to thank Ant and Dec for not doing comedy or sitcom.”
Comic Alan Carr took the public vote for best chat show host and Lenny Henry took the Landmark Award to recognise the contribution of Comic Relief, the charity he helped found and which has raised around nearly £1bn in 30 years.
Channel 4’s Gogglebox took the best factual title, while period drama Downton Abbey triumphed over Sherlock, Cilla and Doctor Who to pick up the best drama award.
Other winners included EastEnders’ Danny Dyer, who won the serial drama performance prize, Britain’s Got Talent’s David Walliams for best TV judge, and ITV’s This Morning and Celebrity Juice.
Full list of winners
Factual: Gogglebox
Multichannel: Celebrity Juice
Newcomer: Maddy Hill
Talent Show: The X Factor
Skills Challenge Show: The Great British Bake Off
Serial Drama: EastEnders
TV Judge: David Walliams
Serial Drama Performance: Danny Dyer
Chat Show Host: Alan Carr
Comedy: Mrs Brown’s Boys
Daytime: This Morning
Drama Performance: Sheridan Smith
Drama: Downton Abbey
Entertainment Presenter: Ant & Dec
Entertainment Programme: I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!
Landmark Award: Comic Relief
Special Recognition: David Tennant
