THE world famous Grosvenor House once again played host to the most coveted night in British television, the BAFTA’s. Considered as British television’s equivalent to the Oscars, Sunday night’s ceremony, again broadcasted on BBC1, was anticipated to have another batch of expectant results. But many people were wrong!
The first key shock was in ‘Best Actor’ when ‘Eric and Ernie’s’ Daniel Rigby beat hot rivals Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who) to the honour, the latter of two continuing a losing trend in awards. Popular drama Sherlock did make up for winning the ‘Supporting Actor’ for Martin Freeman and then beating critically-acclaimed Downton Abbey to ‘Drama Series’.
Despite its 50th anniversary storyline, Coronation Street just can’t buy a major award if its life depended on it as EastEnders again beat them to the ‘Continuing Drama’ award. The BBC Four drama though ‘The Road to Coronation Street’ did win ‘Single Drama.’ The next surprise came when both popular US shows Glee and Mad Men were beaten by The Killing to the ‘International’ award.
BBC News coverage of the historical transfer from Labour to coalition government was second best to ITV News feature on the infamous Cumbria shootings of Derrick Bird last summer for the ‘News Coverage’ honour. BBC Sport however won the ‘Sport’ award for its excellent coverage of last year’s F1 title decider in Abu Dhabi. Next to fall shockingly into losing was The X-Factor. It lost the ‘Entertainment Programme’ award to ever-increasingly popular ITV1 gameshow The Cube, which fittingly concluded its third series on the same night, and its top prize of £250,000 is still yet to be won.
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| DESERVED: Sir Trevor won the BAFTA Fellowship |
Former ITN newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald was deservedly honoured with this year’s ‘BAFTA Fellowship’ award, to honour his work in news and current affairs for over 30 years. Ceremony host Graham Norton also got an award for ‘Entertainment Performance’ for his work. His chatshow has turned out to be a huge successful replacement for Jonathan Ross in BBC1’s late Friday night slot.
To conclude the night of surprises, the ‘Audience Award,’ voted for by YouTube viewers, was expected to go to Downton Abbey but instead was awarded to ITV2’s real-life soap The Only Way Is Essex. It may still have its critics but it has proven to become ITV2’s most popular programme on its launch last October. It has made household names in its entire cast including Mark Wright and Amy Childs as well as being famed for its constant use of the phrase, ‘shut up!’ A move or a broadcast slot on ITV1 will soon surely beckon now.
In conclusion, this year’s awards have certainly proven one testimony, never underestimate the underdog.
BAFTA 2011 WINNERS
Actor – Daniel Rigby
Actress – Vicky McClure
Supporting Actor – Martin Freeman
Supporting Actress – Lauren Socha
Entertainment Performance – Graham Norton
Female Performance in a Comedy Role – Jo Brand
Male Performance in a Comedy Role – Steve Coogan
Single Drama – The Road to Coronation Street
Drama Series – Sherlock
Drama Serial – Any Human Heart
Continuing Drama – EastEnders
International – The Killing
Factual Series – Welcome to Lagos
Specialist Factual – Flying Monsters in 3D
Single Documentary – Between Life and Death
Features – Hugh’s Fish Fight
Current Affairs – Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children
News Coverage – ITV News at Ten: The Cumbria Murders
Sport – Formula 1: The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
New Media – Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention
Entertainment Programme – The Cube
Comedy Programme – Harry & Paul
Situation Comedy – Rev
YouTube Audience Award – The Only Way Is Essex
Special Recognition Award – Peter Bennett-Jones
BAFTA Fellowship – Sir Trevor McDonald
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