Doctor Who duo scoop TV awards

There was double delight for Doctor Who when its stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan picked up prizes at the National Television Awards.

Mr Smith, who plays the Time Lord, won the gong for best Male Drama Performance, while Ms Gillan, who plays his sidekick Amy Pond, picked up the female equivalent.

There was also a victory for ITV1’s hit Downton Abbey with the country house show picking up the Best Drama award and Coronation Street which won the Serial Drama prize.

Ms Gillan, whose exit was announced recently, told reporters she had enjoyed the “time of my life” on the show.

She said: “I will never have as much fun again.”

Her co-star Mr Smith said he had no idea who would replace Ms Gillan when she leaves, but added he was in no hurry to join her in exiting the show.

He said: “I sort of always knew that me and Karen would have slightly different journeys in the show.”

He added the show was “bigger than all” of its cast and would have a “life after” he leaves.

Mr Smith also said he was not worried about being typecast by the role of the doctor, saying: “As long as you’re worth your salt as an actor you’ll be all right.”

Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat took to Twitter to congratulate Mr Smith and Ms Gillan, writing: “Mexican wave among all the Who fans please! I’ll start.”

Coronation Street picked up two awards compared to one for its BBC rival EastEnders.

Katherine Kelly, who recently left the show, picking up the award for Serial Drama Performance for her role as fiery Becky McDonald and the show won the overall award for best soap.

Its producer Phil Collinson said the show would survive Ms Kelly’s exit, saying: “We forge on and we have some amazing stories coming up.”

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa picked up the Newcomer award for her performance as Walford’s troubled teen Lauren Branning.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Jossa said she could not believe it when she won.

She said: “All I was thinking was ‘Don’t fall up the stairs’”

The actress said she would only have “a very quick” celebration because she had to be back at work on the soap early the next morning.

There were awards for Celebrity Juice, which picked up the Comedy Panel Show prize, and Ant and Dec.

The Geordie pair are regular winners of the Entertainment Presenter award.

Ant said he was “more nervous this year than ever before” despite having won the award so many times.

He said: “One day the run will come to the end but we’re just thrilled it’s not today.”

The award for the best Talent Show went to The X Factor, while This Morning won the Factual Programme award.

Alan Carr triumphed in the Talk Show category for his show Alan Carr Chatty Man, beating Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross and the ladies from Loose Women.

The comedian, said: “I never win anything. I was ready to do my bitter clap.”

Speaking backstage, the funnyman said the secret of his success was giving his guests a drink. He said: “They do open up with a Lambrini.”

Ant and Dec took to the stage for a second time to pick up the award in the Reality Programme category for I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

They were joined on stage by contestants from the most recent series including Fatima Whitbread, Mark Wright and winner Dougie Poynter.

The programme beat Come Dine With Me, The Apprentice and Wright’s former show The Only Way is Essex.