Channel 4’s Liverpool-set drama The Gathering, made by World Productions, was a big winner on the night, taking home three awards: Best Drama; Best Scriptwriter for novelist Helen Walsh on her TV writing debut; and Best Performance in a Drama for Eva Morgan in her first professional role.

BBC One’s campaigning magazine show Morning Live also scored a hat-trick of awards: Best Factual Series, Best Inclusive Practice (for programmes with deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent contribution) and Best Presenter for Gethin Jones.

Hollyoaks actor Isabelle Smith won the Caroline Aherne Award for Best Breakthrough Talent, and the Kay Benbow Award for Best Pre-School Programme, in honour of the former CBeebies Controller who died in March, went to the BBC Philharmonic’s Musical Storyland.

Radio 1’s Katie Thistleton and CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson hosted the ceremony in November at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, which welcomed 600 guests. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard opened the show, which also featured a DJ set from former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt.

RTS North West Chair Cameron Roach said: “The awards have become an important event… not only to celebrate the phenomenal creative talent that is producing world-class programming in the region, but also for the screen community to come together and connect.”

RTS North West Television Awards winners

Judges’ Award – Helen Worth

Exceptional Contribution Award – Lucy Meacock

Drama – The Gathering – World Productions for Channel 4

Best Performance in a Drama – Eva Morgan, The Gathering – World Productions for Channel 4

Script Writer – Helen Walsh, The Gathering – World Productions for Channel 4

Continuing Drama Storyline – Paul’s Motor Neurone Disease, Coronation Street – ITV Studios for ITV

Performance in a Continuing Drama – Peter Ash, Coronation Street – ITV Studios for ITV

Comedy – The Power of Parker – Boffola Pictures/Lookout Point for BBC One

Performance in a Comedy – Joe Gilgun, Brassic – Calamity Productions/Sky Studios for Sky

Entertainment – The Voice – Lifted Entertainment for ITV

Factual Entertainment – Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes – Salamanda Media for ITVBe

Factual – Morning Live – BBC Studios for BBC One

Single Documentary – There’s Only One Rob Burrow – BBC Breakfast

Current Affairs Programme – No Place to Call Home: A Newsround Special – CBBC

Best Presenter – Gethin Jones, Morning Live – BBC Studios for BBC One

Regional Programme – BBC North West Tonight – BBC

Best Journalist – Katie Walderman, BBC North West Tonight – BBC

Breakthrough Talent – Isabelle Smith, Hollyoaks – Lime Pictures for Channel 4

School-age Children’s Programme – So Awkward Academy – Channel X North for CBBC

Pre-School Children’s Programme – Musical Storyland: The Enormous Turnip – BBC Philharmonic in association with Sustain Video for Cbeebies

Daytime – Four In A Bed – Studio Lambert for Channel 4

Sport’s Programme – Hatton – Noah Media/Sky Documentaries for Sky

Best Inclusive Practice – Morning Live – BBC Studios for BBC One

Digital Creativity – Hollyoaks: Death of An Influencer – Lime Pictures for Channel 4

Audio Post-production – Harry Tulley, Domino Day – dock10 for BBC Three

Visual Post-production – VFX, Domino Day – dock10 VFX for BBC Three