Killing Eve was the big winner at Sunday’s British Academy Television Awards on Sunday night, as it scooped the coveted Best Drama Series, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
The acclaimed drama earned three gongs at the showcase in London’s Royal Festival Hall out of a total of five nominations, with Jodie Comer paying a touching tribute to writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge as she took to the stage.
It came as Ant McPartlin made an awkward appearance on-stage after I’m A Celebrity won Best Reality and Constructed Factual, despite the embattled presenter taking a break from the show following his drink-drive arrest.
Elated: Jodie Comer broke down in tears at Sunday’s British Academy Television Awards, after the Killing Eve star won Best Actress for her performance as the assassin Villanelle
Jodie delivered an incredible moving speech which also saw her pay tribute to Line Of Duty star Stephen Graham, for offering her plenty of support in the early days of her career.
The Liverpool-born actress said: ‘Wow thank you so much BAFTA sorry I’m only one who’s turned on the waterworks thank you Luke Jennings. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, I feel so lucky not only to say that I have worked with you but to call you a friend. You are the most talented person I know, thank you for being such an inspiration.
‘I would like to thank BBC America. You guys really are the best the entire cast and crew for coming back every year and giving it with the biggest smiles on my faces.
Elated: The Liverpool-born actress broke down in tears as she accepted the award for Best Leading Actress for her acclaimed performance as Villanelle
Gorgeous: The beautiful actress had dazzled in a plum one-shouldered gown as she arrived for the awards showcase
Screen staple: Jodie has been highly praised for her performance as the ruthless assassin Villanelle (pictured above on the show)
Delighted: Jodie also dedicated her award to her late grandmother, who passed away when she first began filming the BBC drama
Happy: After the ceremony, the entire cast of winners took to the stage, where they playfully posed with their awards
Cheese! Jodie also playfully posed for a selfie with producer Phil Bigwood, who scooped the award for Best Sport earlier in the evening
‘I also want to thanks Stephen Graham, if I don’t already owe you a pint, I do now, thank you for introducing me to to Jane, you have encouraged me and supported me.
‘Last but not least, bit of a personal one but I’d love to dedicate this award to my Nanna Francis, who sadly passed away the first week of filming, so she never got to see Villanelle.
‘She was the life and soul of everything, and when she was here she used to say to me: ”You get it off me you know”. And I just want to stand up here and say Nanna Francis you were absolutely right all along. Thank you so much BAFTA!’
We won! After accepting her award, Jodie posed backstage with Benedict Cumberbatch, who received the award for Best Leading Actor
Joint winners! After thanking Phoebe in her speech, Jodie also caught up with the acclaimed writer backstage, as they proudly displayed their prizes
Well done! Phoebe struggled to hide her delight, after Killing Eve also won the coveted award for Best Drama Series
Jodie has earned endless critical praise for her performance as the ruthless assassin Villanelle, who becomes obsessed with MI5 agent Eve Polastri.
Phoebe herself also took to the stage after Killing Eve won the coveted Best Drama Series, and after a surprise swear word, the Fleabag star delivered her own emotional speech.
She said: ‘Oh my god thank you so much BAFTA for this as you can see this is a brilliant charismatic risk-taking team, this is so unbelievably exciting.
‘Thank you so much to Luke Jennings who wrote the novellas, And bringing this incredible team together and Colin Ratten for producing the hell out of this show, and out incredible cast and just to say thanks to everyone in it for taking massive risks: Jodi Comer almost swallowed a wasp in Tuscany!’
Amazing: Phoebe has become one of TV’s most acclaimed writers, thanks to her work on both Killing Eve and Fleabag
Gushing: In her speech Phoebe said: ‘Oh my god thank you so much BAFTA for this as you can see this is a brilliant charismatic risk-taking team, this is so unbelievably exciting’
Fiona Shaw had also received the prize for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as MI6 spy Carolyn Martens, and took a moment to briefly celebrate her win with co-star Jodie as she took to the stage.
She said: ‘Since I began to play Karen in Killing Eve which is the great pleasure of my life people have started to suspect that I am a spy.
‘Thanks to Sally, Colin,Lee thanks to my incomparable agent, thank you to the beautiful cast who I work with all the time, Kim and Jodie and Sandra.
‘My final thanks is to Phoebe Waller-Bridge whose glass shattering genius and wayward imagination produces things out of their mind from coke cans to rats to Russia and all I can say is extraordinary,’ as she eagerly showed award to writer Phoebe who was sat watching proudly in the audience.
Sensational: Fiona Shaw had also received the prize for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as MI6 spy Carolyn Martens
Superstars: All three gorgeous stars proudly displayed their awards backstage, with Killing Eve’s second series set to air later this year in the UK
Praised: The drama had been nominated five times – including Best Leading Actress for Sandra Oh, and Best Supporting Actor for Kim Bodnia
Benedict Cumberbatch was another big winner of the night, as he received Best Leading Actor for his role in Patrick Melrose.
In a touching speech, the former Sherlock star paid tribute to his wife Sophie Hunter, for offering a welcome respite from his performance as the embattled drug addict.
He said: ‘There is one other person in this world I have to thank and that’s my wife Sophie, your were my rock and I had to go pretty weird for this there were some things I had to do and it was very nice to come home and feel stable again.’
Big star: Benedict Cumberbatch was another big winner of the night, as he received Best Leading Actor for his role in Patrick Melrose, and it was the star’s first win and seventh nomination
My prize! In his touching speech, Benedict paid tribute to his wife Sophie Hunter for offering a welcome respite from his performance as the embattled drug addict
Gorgeous: The happy couple had made a joint appearance on the red carpet earlier in the evening, with Sophie dazzling in a semi-sheer black midi dress
Ant McPartlin also made an awkward second appearance on the stage for the awards on Sunday night, after I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here scooped the award for Reality and Constructed Factual.
As it was announced that I’m A Celebrity had won the award, Ant stood to allow the rest of the show’s crew – including Dec and stand-in host Holly Willoughby – to take to the stage.
But it was soon clear that Dec wanted Ant to join the team on-stage, and so he tentatively did so, but stepped away from the podium and pushed Holly forward in his place.
Delivering his own speech, Dec said: ‘ I’d like to say thank you to Holly for helping me out last year standing in for Ant who has reluctantly come in here tonight, because he’s still part of the team obviously.’
Strange: Ant McPartlin also made an awkward second appearance on the stage for the awards on Sunday night, after I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here scooped the award for Reality and Constructed Factual
Not me! As it was announced that I’m A Celebrity had won the award, Ant stood to allow the rest of the show’s crew – including Dec and stand-in host Holly Willoughby – to take to the stage
It’s you! After arriving on-stage, Ant pushed Holly towards the podium to accept the honour, after she took his place presenting the show late last year
Touching: Delivering his own speech, Dec said: ‘ I’d like to say thank you to Holly for helping me out last year standing in for Ant who has reluctantly come in here tonight, because he’s still part of the team obviously’
Ant and Dec had also scooped Best Entertainment Programme earlier in the evening for Britain’s Got Talent, and took to the stage alongside judge David Walliams.
Taking to the stage Ant said: ‘Thank you very much. Thank you to BAFTA thank you to ITV thank you for voting for us, thank you to the judges a little bit, the hosts a lot.’
And Dec added: ‘Thank you to everybody at Thames and Syco but most of all the thank you goes to all the people who come along and audition. There really is no show without them. We did it again gang!’
But the awards show wasn’t a clean sweep for the double act, as they lost Best Entertainment Performance to Lee Mack for his work on Would I Lie To You?
Ant made a return to television screens earlier in May for the new Britain’s Got Talent as he makes a comeback to the showbiz circuit following a tough year.
Two in a row: Ant and Dec had also scooped Best Entertainment Programme earlier in the evening for Britain’s Got Talent, and took to the stage alongside judge David Walliams
Back together: The presenting duo took to the stage to accept the honour after making their first awards show appearance since Ant’s drink-drive arrest last year
The star was arrested for drink-driving in March last year and his presenting partner Dec hosted the live Britain’s Got Talent shows solo.
Ant also split from his wife Lisa Armstrong in January last year, and has since embarked on a romance with his PA Anne-Marie Corbett, 42.
He told The Sun: ‘Anne-Marie honestly is the fundamental reason for the great change in my life. She’s been my rock. She’s a beautiful soul. We’re very happy.’
Tough time: He was arrested for drink-driving in March last year and his presenting partner Dec hosted the live Britain’s Got Talent shows solo
Happy: The pair looked delighted to be back on the red carpet together, after Dec made an appearance solo last year
Almost there: But the awards show wasn’t a clean sweep for the double act, as they lost Best Entertainment Performance to Lee Mack for his work on Would I Lie To You?
The show began with a performance by Gareth Malone with the choir from Kensington Aldridge Academy, which famously stood next to the Grenfell Tower.
Graham certainly came out swiping with a scathing monologue that made a dig at everything from Danny Dyer to the Seann Walsh Strictly Come Dancing kiss scandal.
The latter proved particularly brutal as Strictly host Tess Daly couldn’t hide her fury in the audience, after Graham joked the scandal was the last thing to have been so intricately analysed, before Line Of Duty’s finale last week.
The first award of the night was Best Mini-Series, which was presented by Fleabag co-stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott – who insisted their series was well and truly over in a hilarious tongue-in-cheek fashion.
Amazing: Graham Norton kicked off the star-studded event, which honoured the biggest and best from TV in the last 12 months
Savage: Graham certainly came out swiping with a scathing monologue that made a dig at everything from Danny Dyer to the Seann Walsh Strictly Come Dancing kiss scandal
Exciting: The awards show saw Killing Eve and Bodyguard battle it out for the coveted Best Drama prize, at the showcase in London’s Royal Festival Hall
It’s them! The first award of the night was Best Mini-Series, which delighted Fleabag fans as Andrew Scott and Phoebe Waller-Bridge reunited to present the prize, while playfully insisting the show had absolutely come to an end
Well done! Patrick Melrose was given the coveted honour, and amongst its crew, star Benedict Cumberbatch
Over the moon: The Sky Atlantic series was highly praised for its adaptation of the five-novel series, with Cumberbatch’s performance earning particular praise
Patrick Melrose scooped the coveted prize, and along with its crew, star Benedict Cumberbatch proudly took to the stage to accept the prize.
The Sky Atlantic series was highly praised for its adaptation of the five-novel series, with Cumberbatch’s performance earning particular praise.
A League Of Their Own received the prize for Comedy Entertainment Programme, but sadly none of its main stars – James Corden, Jamie Redknapp, Freddie Flintoff and Romesh Ranganathan – were in attendance.
Big win: A League Of Their Own received the prize for Comedy Entertainment Programme, but sadly none of its main stars – James Corden, Jamie Redknapp, Freddie Flintoff and Romesh Ranganathan – were in attendance
Funny stars: Steve Pemberton was awarded with Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his work on Inside No. 9 (left), with Jessica Hynes scooping the Best Female Performance gong for There She Goes (right)
Not a total loss: Bodyguard almost exited the awards show empty-handed, apart from the viewer-voted Must-See Moment TV moment, with star Keeley Hawes taking to the stage to accept the honour
Ben Whishaw was awarded Best Supporting Actor for his stellar performance as Norman Scott in A Very English Scandal, but thanks to his Broadway commitments the actor was unable to attend.
Instead the series’ director took to the stage, and he joked that Ben was ‘useless’ for failing to provide him with a speech.
After Who Do You Think You Are? received Best Features, Steve Pemberton was awarded with Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his work on Inside No. 9, with Jessica Hynes scooping the Female Equivalent for There She Goes.
Legendary: Joan Bakewell also received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship award, after decades of work in broadcasting
It’s you! Joan was also spotted meeting Benedict while on-stage at the grand ceremony
Joan Bakewell also received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship award, after decades of work in broadcasting, and told the watching crowd that had set out on an ‘exhilarating journey’ to make it in a male-dominated industry.
She said: ‘It has been a long journey, and along the way I’ve had the encouragement and professional support of many, many women, making their own bid to [have] as much a chance as men. And possibly earn as much. That would be nice.’
Happy Valley and Queer As Folk producer Nicola Schindler was also given a Special Award for her outstanding contribution to television.
Superstar: Danny Dyer also joined Holly on-stage to the award for Must-See TV Moment, and immediately joked about whether he should have re-iterated his crude comparison with David Cameron
Hilarious; The pair still proved a good duo as they presented the prize – voted for by the public – to Bodyguard
Super soap: Danny Dyer also took to the stage to accept Best Soap and Continuing Drama for EastEnders, who beat out Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Casualty
Aren’t you sweet? Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas also had a sweet moment with finalist Joe Sugg, as they presented an award together
Outstanding: Suranne Jones and Lenny Henry were also on hand to present the Special Award for an Outstanding Contribution to the TV industry
Amazing: After announcing that Nicola Schindley would be receiving the award, Lenny delivered an amazing recital of her incredibly long list of producing credits
Father-son time: Bradley Walsh also offered a moment of comedic relief with his son Bradley, who joked he would ‘never win’ one of the famous golden masks
Sporting superstars: Alex Scott and Billy Monger were also on hand to present the Best Sport Award, for BBC’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final between England and Sweden
Many die-hard fans were also rooting for Derry Girls to win Best Comedy Programme, but the award was instead given to Sally4Ever.
Danny Dyer also took to the stage to accept Best Soap and Continuing Drama for EastEnders, who beat out Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Casualty.
Bodyguard almost exited the awards show empty-handed, apart from the viewer-voted Must-See Moment TV moment, with star Keeley Hawes taking to the stage to accept the honour.
Lavish: It proved to be an incredibly grand occasion, as all of the winning stars took to the stage to showcase their prizes after the awards show
Girls about town: Many of the stars were also spotted backstage after accepting their awards, including Julia Stiles (left) and Helen McCrory (right)
Ahead on the show on the red carpet, Holly, Jodie and Susanna all looked incredible as they upped the glam to the max, with the Killing Eve beauty going for a one-shoulder magenta gown while the newly-single GMB star was showing off her assets in a sheer black ensemble – clearly cementing her new relationship status.
Holly looked incredible in a thigh-slash blue gown which featured a lingerie-style body underneath while the billowing sheer lengths added drama to the stunning look.
Jodie was every inch the leading lady in her one-shouldered gown which boasted a floor-sweeping arm while the rest clung to her physique while she wore her blonde locks in bouncy waves.
Woah! Holly looked incredible in a thigh-slash blue gown which featured a lingerie-style body underneath while the billowing sheer lengths added drama to the stunning look
Wow! Susanna looked incredible as she hit the red carpet, just weeks after she addressed her breakup from Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, 53, live on GMB
Susanna looked incredible as she hit the red carpet, just weeks after she addressed her breakup from Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, 53, live on GMB. The TV star’s co-presenter Piers Morgan probed Susanna, 48, about the split, hours after the Daily Mail exclusively revealed the news.
As Piers asked, ‘Are you single again? You are aren’t you?’ an upbeat Susanna replied: ‘Yep. Let’s not dwell. I’m fine, we’re fine, we’re very good friends. We were at the match on Saturday.’
Clearly not fazed by her woes, she hit the red carpet in the incredibly daring gown which featured an entirely sheer top with strategically-placed appliques to protect her modesty.
Doctor Foster star Suranne wore a gown with a tuxedo-style top and a billowing pink skirt on the bottom.
Injecting some serious A-list glam into the evening was Benedict and Sophie, who could not resist locking lips in a steamy display on the red carpet.
A dream: Keeley was a vision in a Bardot gown which gave a nod to bridal style
TV royalty Ant and Dec, who are celebrating 30 years of working together this year after first appearing on TV screens in teen drama Byker Grove, walked the red carpet in dashing style.
Fleabag hit and Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge was looking incredible in a powder blue gown with a demure shape and dramatic sleeves to help show off her flawless frame while her make-up was chic and bold.
The whole gang (bar Susanna): Alex Beresford, Sean Fletcher, Laura Tobin, Charlotte Hawkins, Piers Morgan, Ranvir Singh, Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard all posed together to fly the flag for GMB
Stunner: Billie Piper, who had been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in BBC thriller Collateral, was every inch the leading lady as she turned heads in a black one-shouldered blazer-style dress
Blue beauty: Fiona looked sensational in a Bardot blue gown with a pillar base and thin straps
Wow! Rochelle was sure to make a statement as she showed off her lingerie from beneath the sheer gown
10 Things I Love About Your Outfit… Julia ensured she upped the glam factor to the max in a billowing navy gown