Armaan blog

"The X Factor" wins UK National Television Award

LONDON (Reuters) – "The X Factor," which has a U.S. launch this year, won the talent show category at Britain's National Television Awards on Wednesday, beating "Britain's Got Talent," "Dancing on Ice" and "Strictly Come Dancing."

The show, featuring Simon Cowell as an acerbic judge, has regularly topped the viewer ratings in Britain, and its latest winner, painter and decorator Matt Cardle, snagged the coveted Christmas No. 1 slot in the music charts.

"EastEnders" scooped the most popular serial drama prize ahead of "Coronation Street," "Emmerdale" and "Hollyoaks."

The series also boasted two more awards, with Lacey Turner winning for best serial drama performance and Ricky Norwood being named the most popular newcomer.

Others awarded with an NTA trophy included "Benidorm" in the comedy category, David Jason for best drama performance and "The Inbetweeners" for the new category of digital choice.

Luis Urzua, one of the miners saved from the cave-in disaster in Chile, received a standing ovation when he came on stage to present the award for most popular drama to "Waterloo Road." The school series beat off stiff competition from "Doctor Who," "Shameless" and "Sherlock."

Comedian and presenter Bruce Forsyth, still on prime-time television aged 82, received a career achievement award.

Following is a full list of Britain's National Television Awards:

- Most popular comedy program: Benidorm

- Most popular entertainment program: I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here

- Most popular newcomer: Ricky Norwood/EastEnders

- Most popular drama: Waterloo Road

- Digital choice: The Inbetweeners

- Best serial drama performance: Lacey Turner/EastEnders

- Most popular entertainment presenter: Ant & Dec

- Topical magazine: This Morning

- Most popular factual program: Top Gear

- Most popular talent show: The X Factor

- Best drama performance: David Jason

- Special recognition: Bruce Forsyth

- Most popular serial drama: EastEnders.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)