National TV Awards: Strictly beats X Factor

Strictly Come Dancing has beaten The X Factor to win the best talent show prize at the National Television Awards (NTAs) in London.

The BBC One show ended The X Factor's three-year run of winning the prize, also beating Britain's Got Talent, Dancing On Ice and The Voice.

It comes after Strictly consistently beat the ITV programme in the ratings during their most recent series.

Presenter Tess Daly said she was "thrilled to bits" to win the award.

"It's Strictly's 10th year this year and this is the icing on the cake," she said.

She paid tribute to her co-host Sir Bruce Forsyth who did not attend the ceremony and later added backstage she would be calling him to tell him the good news.

All the prizes handed out at the ceremony at London's O2 Arena were voted for by the public.

Ant and Dec won the best presenter award for a 12th consecutive year. They accepted their award via a video link from the London Palladium where they are currently filming Britain's Got Talent.

"We're so happy and pleased to win," Declan Donnelly said.

Ant McPartlin added: "This is ridiculous - 12 in a row. We have to say thank you to every single one of you."

Alan Carr, Keith Lemon and Dermot O'Leary were also nominated in the category.

Speaking on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, Lemon - whose real name is Leigh Francis - told the BBC he was happy to be nominated, but did not rate his chances at winning the award.

"I'm really chuffed, but it's weird sat there knowing you're going to lose," he said.

"Usually when you go to a ceremony you have a little bit of hope, but I've got no chance against Ant and Dec."

The Geordie duo also had success with their ITV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, which won best entertainment programme.

It is the fifth NTA the programme has won after previously winning the award in 2011 as well as prizes for best reality programme in 2003, 2007 and 2012.

Former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, who took part in the latest series, said she was "super thankful to the public" for the award.

It was also a strong night for BBC drama, with Northern Irish actor Colin Morgan winning best male drama performance for Merlin and Miranda Hart picking up best female drama performance for her role in Call The Midwife.

Morgan beat Benedict Cumberbatch, Matt Smith and Daniel Mays to win the award for his role in the fantasy show, which ended after five series in December.

"It's been a five-year journey, so it's a huge honour to end on a high and get the recognition from the fans," he said backstage after winning the award.

Alan Halsall picked up the best serial drama performance award from Coronation Street co-star Nigel Havers

Hart was not at the ceremony, but in a message read out on stage the actress said she was "properly thrilled and very grateful".

She added: "Please give my award for safekeeping to Gary Barlow who since snogging me on my show is totally smitten and will be taking me as a lover."

The BBC missed out on winning the best drama award, which went to Downton Abbey for a second consecutive year, beating Doctor Who, Merlin and Sherlock.

Phyllis Logan, who plays housekeeper Mrs Hughes in the show, paid tribute to writer Julian Fellowes, saying his "imagination has captured the imagination of a lot of you all around the world".

Coronation Street was named best serial drama for a second year - beating EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks - while Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone in the soap, picked up best serial drama performance.

The actor paid tribute to former co-star Bill Tarmey, who died last year, saying he would be looking down on him "having a pint of Guinness for me".

Producer Phil Collinson also paid tribute and dedicated the soap's win to the late actor.

ITV's This Morning was named best daytime programme - its fourth NTA in its history.

Host Philip Schofield said despite the programme's previous wins, this award "means the most".

"To our viewers who supported us through thick and thin - sometimes so thin we almost fell through, we say thank you," he said.

Although Doctor Who had been nominated for three prizes, the show came away empty-handed.

But there was BBC success for Mrs Brown's Boys, which won best sitcom. Speaking backstage after collecting his award, the show's writer and star Brendan O'Carroll dismissed negative reviews critics have given his show in the past.

"We write it for the audience, not for somebody that writes in newspapers or magazines," he said.

This Morning won the the award for best daytime show

The comic also revealed he may consider making a fourth series of the show, despite initially saying it would end after three seasons.

Frozen Planet also won best documentary series, and QI picked up best comedy panel show.

EastEnders' David Witts, who plays Joey Branning, was named best newcomer. The star admitted he had not prepared an acceptance speech as he did not expect to win.

The best factual entertainment award was presented to Paul O'Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.

Joanna Lumley was also awarded a special recognition prize with tributes being paid to the actress by her Absolutely Fabulous co-star Jennifer Saunders, Prime Minister David Cameron and film director Martin Scorsese - who cast her in this year's Wolf Of Wall Street.

And a landmark award for coverage of London 2012 was presented to Lord Coe and London 2012 Olympians Sir Chris Hoy and David Weir.

The presentation opened with host Dermot O'Leary and David Walliams spoofing the sketch shown at the Olympic Opening Ceremony featuring The Queen and James Bond star Daniel Craig.

It also featured performances from Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, X Factor contestant Ella Henderson and Britain's Got Talent winner Ashleigh and Pudsey.