Corrie legend Anne remembered as I'm a Celeb lifts top TV show gong

Presenters Ant and Dec beat their own Saturday Night Takeaway to take the title for their jungle show at the ceremony staged at London's O2 Arena last night, a prize they also won last year.

Declan Donnelly collected the trophy flanked by many of the stars who had featured on the 2014 series.

"This is amazing. Don't they scrub up well? They still stink, but they look lovely," he said of the contestants.

The event draws many of the biggest names in TV each year for the awards which are chosen through a public vote.

Presenter Dermot O'Leary acknowledged the death this week of Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride, when he noted the attendance of many of her colleagues from the soap.

Kirkbride, who died from cancer on Monday, had played Deirdre for more than 40 years.

tears

Bill Roache - who played Kirkbride's screen husband Ken Barlow - had many of the audience in tears as he gave an emotional tribute to his late co-star.

"I feel so blessed, honoured and privileged to have had those years working with Anne," he said.

"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."

Ant and Dec were on stage for a second prize of the night when they collected the best entertainment presenter trophy - an award they have now won for a 14th consecutive year.

Mrs Brown's Boys collected the comedy prize, beating shows such as Outnumbered and The Big Bang Theory.

"Once again we've emptied half the seats in the arena. I'd like to thank Ant and Dec for not doing comedy or sitcom," creator and star Brendan O'Carroll said.

Danny Dyer took the prize for best soap actor for his portrayal of EastEnders' landlord Mick Carter while Sheridan Smith landed the prize for top drama performance for her portrayal of Cilla Black in ITV series Cilla.

EastEnders actress Maddy Hill took the best newcomer prize and a new category introduced for the first time this year, for the top skills challenge show, went to The Great British Bake Off.

This Morning landed the best daytime show prize yet again.

"This belongs to so many people - I wish I could just saw it up and give them a piece," said presenter Eamonn Holmes.

And addressing fellow ITV star Jeremy Kyle, whose daily programme was also on the shortlist, he said: "If I could I would saw a bit off and give it to you - you know where I would put that. Jezza, the public have voted."

hnews@herald.ie