How to Look Good....on Stage? The Winners of the Royal Television Society North West Awards 2009

Saturday 14th November saw the Hilton Deansgate play host to what’s being dubbed the best ever annual RTS NW Awards. Comedian John Bishop presented the evening, presiding over awarding the sought-after trophies with a little help from a few special-guest presenters, including the fabulous Gok Wan.

Winners included Coronation Street, Panorama, Britain’s got the Pop Factor and actress Anna Friel. Honoured for her performance in The Street, Anna’s award was collected by her very proud parents, as she is presently on stage in London.

Esther Wilson picked up the ‘Best Newcomer’ award for her writing on ‘The Street’. Discovered by Jimmy McGovern at the age of 53, Esther joked she was probably the oldest ‘newcomer’ in the industry!

Following that, it really was a night for Jimmy McGovern and The Street. For his writing he collected the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Craft from actress Suranne Jones; and then he was back on stage with the rest of ‘The Street’ production team to receive the Judges’ Award, presented to him by Paul Abbott in front of a standing ovation.

RTS NW Chair, Helen Bullough, says: “This region has always stood for entrepreneurialism and invention, and that’s as true of our TV industry as it is elsewhere.

“The North West continues to shine out as a creative beacon across the industry from outstanding regional coverage and factual series, to innovative comedy, entertainment, and of course drama.

“All of that is down to the talent here, both on and off screen. This year more than any, the NW creative community has every right to be exceptionally proud of its dedication and hard work”.

WINNERS

Best Children’s Programme

Roary the Racing Car – Hellie’s a Winner
Chapman Entertainment for Five & Nick Jr

Best Presenter on a Regional Programme

Andy Crane
Channel M News
Channel M

Best Current Affairs Programme

Panorama – Life After Woolies
BBC North West for BBC One

Best Reporter on a Regional Programme

Dave Guest
North West Tonight
BBC North West for BBC One

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Craft

Jimmy McGovern – Writing:
The Street
ITV Studios for BBC One

Award for Innovation in Multiplatform

Dragons’ Den Online
BBC Manchester Multiplatform Productions for bbc.co.uk

Best Regional News Programme

Granada Reports - Hillsborough
ITV Granada for ITV1

Best Sports Programme

Accrington Stanley… Exactly!
ITV Granada for ITV1

Best Single Documentary

The Kindertransport Story
BBC Religion & Ethics for BBC One

Best Regional Programme

Accrington Stanley…. Exactly!
ITV Granada for ITV1

Best Low Budget Programme

Zeitgeist
University of Salford for Channel M

Best Newcomer (off screen)

Esther Wilson - Writer
The Street
ITV Studios for BBC One

Best Performance in a Comedy

Beverly Rudd
Massive
BBC Comedy North for BBC Three

Best Performance in a Continuing Drama

David Threlfall
Shameless
Company Productions North for Channel 4

Best Performance in a Single Drama or Drama Series

Anna Friel
The Street
ITV Studios for BBC One

Best Factual Series

The Department Store
BBC Entertainment Production North
for BBC Four

Best Factual Entertainment Programme

Dragons’ Den
BBC Entertainment Production North
for BBC Two

Best Entertainment Programme

Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow
Open Mike Productions for BBC One

Best Comedy Programme

Britain’s Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soap Star Superstar Strictly on Ice
Lion Eyes Television for Channel 4

Best Single Drama or Drama Series

The Street
ITV Studios for BBC One

Best Continuing Drama

Coronation Street
ITV Studios for ITV1

The Judges Award The Street Production Team
ITV Studios for BBC One

For more information on the RTS please contact:

RTS Coordinator:
Chantal Hannell Chantal.hannell@hotmail.co.uk 07961 346651

For further PR info and images please contact:

Communications Consultant

AJ Read ajread@rocketmail.com 07712 581185