LONDON – Graham Norton kicked off the TV Baftas last night with a gag about Britain's Got Talentwinners Spelbound.
He compared his own sunburnt appearance to the fake tan used by the daredevil gymnasts, saying: “I just spent a bit too much time in the sun yesterday. No, I’m not auditioning for Spelbound.”
The gymnastic troupe, who won Saturday night’s tv show, looked like a “set of bright orange tumblers from the Argos catalogue”, he joked.
Britain's Got Talentwon its first ever Bafta – for entertainment programme.
It beat Norton's The Graham Norton Show.
Presenter Dec said after receiving the award: "As this was for last year's Britain's Got Talent, thanks a lot to Susan Boyle – cheers pet."
The show’s boss Simon Cowell said: “To make it clear, Diversity won.” Cowell comforted a disappointed Norton with: “It’s not about winning, it’s about taking part.”
Cowell said last night he was “excited” by the idea of the show’s winners Spelbound and Diversity representing England in a global contest.
Asked backstage about the idea of a worldwide competition, Cowell said a previous international version of Pop Idolhad been a "disaster" as all the judges had "wanted to be me".
Julie Walters won the leading actress award for the Channel 4 drama Mo, in which she played the late politician Mo Mowlam.
She thanked “Mo’s family and friends who were massively supportive . . . and Mo, what a woman, thank you Bafta”.
Ant and Dec finally scooped their first ever Bafta – with their sixth nomination – despite a 20-year career in television.
The duo beat Harry Hill, Stephen Fry and comedian Michael McIntyre to the entertainment performance gong for I'm A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here!
Dec (34) made light of how long it had taken to get an award, saying: “I really, really, really wasn’t expecting that. That’s a big shock.”
Ant and Dec, still “shellshocked” over their win, presented a special award to Cowell for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry and for the development of new talent.
Ant said of the Britain's Got Talentand X Factor judgeand creator: "I admire him" while Dec joked: "I'm terrified of him".
Kenneth Branagh won Leading Actor – over the likes of John Hurt, who reprised his role as Quentin Crisp in An Englishman In New Yorkand Brendan Gleeson for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Into The Storm– for his role as a grumpy and troubled Swedish detective in BBC1's Wallander.
Matthew Macfadyen was presented with the supporting actor title for his role as QC Joe Miller in BBC1's Criminal Justice.
Masterchef: The Professionalstook the features title.
The drama serial category was won by Occupation, starring James Nesbitt, while single documentary was awarded to Wounded, which followed the journey to rehabilitation of two injured soldiers, on the same channel.
The World Athletics Championshipson BBC2 won the sport category. – (PA)