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» The National Televison Awards

The National Television Awards held at The O2 attracted its biggest audience for more than six years last, Wednesday 20 January, with more than 7 million tuning to ITV1.

It was a close battle, but ITV narrowly triumphed over the BBC at the National Television Awards.

Gongs for the X Factor, Coronation Street and star presenters Ant and Dec helped the channel bank six of the viewer-voted awards - one more than the BBC.

The night proved full of glamour and star-power, as the channels brought out their biggest names to celebrate TV's achievements over the last year.

And with cameo appearances from Prince Charles, who waxed lyrical about Stephen Fry, and Sarah Brown, who made a passionate appeal on behalf of the Haitian people, it was a night to remember.

ITVs comedy duo Ant and Dec celebrated after scooping two awards - Best Entertainment Programme for Saturday Night Takeaway and Most Popular Entertainment Presenters.

Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly told Urbanworld Osworld that they could not believe they were still winning awards for their work.

McPartlin said: “In the car on the way here we said the winning streak's got to end soon and thought it would be tonight, we really did.”

Referring to Britain's Got Talent, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, he said: “They're three massive shows... we love making them and we'll continue to make them as long as you enjoy them.”

Hit BBC show Gavin And Stacey scooped the award for Best Comedy Programme.

The award for Best Serial Drama performance went to Lacey Turner for her portrayal of troubled EastEnders siren Stacey Slater.

The now former Dr Who, David Tennat, presented Stephen Fry with the award for Star Travel Documentary.

The comedian thanked the 'tasteful and perspicacious British public' for voting for his show Stephen Fry In America.

Craig Gazey, who plays the hapless Graeme Proctor in Coronation Street, received his award for Best Newcomer from EastEnders stalwart Barbara Windsor.

Doctor Who scooped the award for Most Popular Drama and the team were presented with the award by a 'very nervous' England and Chelsea captain John Terry.

X Factor finalists John and Edward, or Jedward, then took to the stage to sing a mash-up of Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby and Queen's Under Pressure, which they had previously performed on the talent show.

The pair were joined on stage by rapper Vanilla Ice

 ITV's Loose Women picked up the award for Most Popular Factual Programme.

 Coleen Nolan told Urbanworld Osworld: “Thank you to all our husbands and partners who put up with us slagging them off every day - although they do deserve it.”

Most Popular Talent Show award went to the X Factor.  Simon insisted on Dermot O'Leary, presenter for the night, joining him, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue, to hold the prize aloft.

Cheryl thanked the viewers, Dannii thanked Simon and Simon thanked his dentist.

The award for Best Serial Drama - traditionally a battle of the soaps between EastEnders and Coronation Street - went to Weatherfield.

Coronation Street, celebrating its 50th year, won the award, which was voted for by the public.

William Roach, who has starred as Ken Barlow in the soap since the first episode, said: “We might be 50 years old but we have a heartbeat like a cannon.'

As the show closed, Alex Bain, six, who plays Simon Barlow, was picked up in the air by the likeable O'Leary, which would definitely won the award for Cutest Moment Of The Night.

 

The full list of this year's winners

 

Entertainment Presenters: Ant and Dec

Comedy Programme: Gavin and Stacey

Outstanding Serial Drama Performance: Lacey Turner - EastEnders

Most Popular Star Travel Documentary: Stephen Fry in America

Most Popular Newcomer: Craig Gazey - Coronation Street

Most Popular Entertainment Programme: Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Most Popular Drama: Dr Who

Most Popular Factual Programme: Loose Women

Most Popular Talent Show : X Factor

Outstanding Drama Performance: David Tennant - Dr Who

Best Serial Drama: Coronation Street