Last night’s BAFTA Television Awards brought the biggest stars of the small-screen together to celebrate the best of British telly.

As expected, ITV’s Appropriate Adult made the headlines with a trio of acting gongs for its principal cast.

Emily Watson claimed the Leading Actress prize for her role as trainee social worker Janet Leach ahead of last year’s victor Vicky McClure (This is England ’88) while Dominic West triumphed in the Leading Actor category for his portrayal of notorious serial-killer Fred West.

During her speech, Watson said:

“It was such a disturbing place to go. In my speech I was very overwhelmed I forgot to thank Janet Leach, she gave very generously to us.

“The public perception of the West case is a tabloid-driven view and then I read the script and it was a very intelligent piece full of integrity.

“It’s a deep abyss right in the middle of our society.”

Upon collecting his gong, West added:

“I hope she has had some closure and we have honoured the suffering she endured and the suffering of all the West’s victims, living and dead.”

Co-star Monica Dolan also tasted success in the Supporting Actress field for her own uncomfortable turn as convicted killer Rose West, with Dame Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey) among her rival nominees.

However, the acclaimed crime-based programme missed out on the Miniseries prize, which was awarded to Shane Meadows‘ hit 80s-based series This is England ’88. The victory was made even sweeter after the ’86 spinoff was shockingly ignored in the same category last year.

Elsewhere, Andrew Scott overcame co-star Martin Freeman to win the Supporting Actor prize for his sinister turn as Jim Moriarty in the hit BBC One series Sherlock. Fellow cast member Benedict Cumberbatch missed out on Leading Actor for the second year in a row following his loss to West.

Meanwhile, BBC Three’s supernatural drama The Fades pulled off a shock victory in the Drama Series field at the expense of Misfits, Scott & Bailey and the final series of Spooks.

The Single Drama category also brought an unexpected result, as Channel 4’s Random prevailed over the likes of Holy Flying Circus and Page Eight.

Elsewhere, the BBC One comedy Mrs. Brown’s Boys scored a key win in the Situation Comedy line-up ahead of last year’s winner Rev. while Jennifer Saunders ended her long wait for a first acting BAFTA after taking home the Female Comedy Performance prize for her hit role as Edina Moon in BBC One’s Absolutely Fabulous.

More surprisingly, Darren Boyd saw off the likes of Hugh Bonneville (Twenty Twelve) and Tom Hollander (Rev.) to win the Male Comedy Performance accolade for his role in the Sky One comedy Spy.

Meanwhile, the panel show Celebrity Juice overcame Frozen Planet, and The Great British Bake Off to clinch the YouTube Audience Award while Coronation Street took home the Soap & Continuing Drama gong.

The Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton also enjoyed a BAFTA triumph after winning the Sport & Live Event award.

There was disappointment for ceremony host Dara Ó Brien as he missed out on the Entertainment Performance prize, which was awarded to fellow Irish presenter Graham Norton for The Graham Norton Show.

However, Norton was unable to collect his gong as he was travelling back from Azerbaijan after presenting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The rest of the notable BAFTA victors include Borgen (International), Derren Brown: The Experiments (Entertainment Programme), Our War (Factual Series), Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die (Single Documentary), The Great British Bake Off (Features), and Young Apprentice (Reality and Constructed Factual).

Finally, the BAFTA Fellowship was awarded to veteran presenter Rolf Harris for his contributions to television over the past few decades.

On receiving his honour, Harris said:

“It’s unbelievable for a start, it’s very humbling and thrilling. I can’t tell you how exciting it was when they asked if I would accept the award.”

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