Top telly award for star Sheridan

Actress Sheridan Smith hailed the late Cilla Black as “an amazing lady” as she won another award for her portrayal of the singer and entertainer.
Cilla Black played by Sheridan Smith.Cilla Black played by Sheridan Smith.
Cilla Black played by Sheridan Smith.

The 34-year-old, from Epworth, near Doncaster, who played Black in the ITV biopic, Cilla, was presented with the best actress prize at the TV Choice Awards in London. She has previously picked up the accolade for best drama performance at the National TV Awards.

“Obviously, it’s tinged with sadness,” she said on stage as she received her prize.

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“It’s an absolute honour and privilege to play such an amazing lady. Thank you, Cilla.”

Sheridan cut her teeth as an actress performing in amateur shows in Doncaster and was a member of the Young Lit at Doncaster Little Theatre.

Television favourites Ant and Dec continued their winning streak as they collected a trio of awards for their shows at the awards.

The duo - Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly - scooped prizes for best entertainment show for Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, as well as best reality show for I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and best talent show for Britain’s Got Talent, which they both front.

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They were not at the ceremony at London’s Hilton Park Lane hotel to accept their award but sent a recorded message, saying: “We love making Takeaway, so thank you so much.”

Britain’s Got Talent judge Holden, who accepted the prize for the ITV show, offered her award to Mary Berry and The Great British Bake Off.

“Mary Berry, I’m a massive fan of you. I’d give this to you,” she joked. “I think yours is a better show.”

Broadchurch was the other big winner of this year’s ceremony, which was hosted by Lenny Henry.

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The ITV crime drama was voted best drama series, while star David Tennant won best actor for the second year.

“My wife couldn’t come tonight and she said I can only come if I get selfies with people,” the star said, as he posed for a selfie with Henry.

“This is really lovely. It’s so nice it’s voted by readers of TV Choice. I’m very humbled. I’m so proud to be a part of British television.”

BBC’s period dramas proved a hit with audiences with Poldark, starring Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson, chosen as best new drama, and Call The Midwife winning best family drama.

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BBC1 soap EastEnders won best soap, with actor Davood Ghadami (Kush Kazemi) voted best soap newcomer.

“This is amazing to get an award for doing the best job in the world,” the 33-year-old actor said.

Other soap winners include Coronation Street star Alison King winning the prize for best soap actress for her performance as businesswoman Carla Connor, and Emmerdale’s Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Livesy on the ITV series, voted best soap actor.

King, 42, thanked her soap family, saying: “I’m really nervous. Thank you to my Corrie family for giving me amazing storylines. I love you all.”

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Best daytime programme went to The Jeremy Kyle Show for the fifth year running.

Channel 4’s reality programme Gogglebox was voted best factual entertainment show, Saturday Kitchen - hosted by James Martin - won best food show, while Benidorm won best comedy.

US comedy The Big Bang Theory was chosen as best international show.

Winners at the ceremony - officially called the TV Choice Awards 2015, and now in its 19th year - were voted for by viewers and readers of the magazine.

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