Doctor Foster takes swipe at overpaid men
HER portrayal of a twisted GP in Doctor Foster courted controversy. And Suranne Jones made sure she was the focus of attention again last night at the National Television Awards.
The 39-year-old turned heads with an androgynous look – a velvet tuxedo with an elaborate white bow tie – as she received two awards. But her biggest statement came in the form of a small white badge worn on her lapel as part of a campaign for women’s equality.
It bore the logo ‘50:50’ and the slogan ‘Actresses equal representation’. Equal Representation for Actresses was formed in 2015. Supporters include Emma Thompson and Claire Foy.
Miss Jones appeared overwhelmed to win the best drama performance award for a second time, following her 2016 victory.
‘I really didn’t expect that,’ she said. ‘This means so much.’
Doctor Foster, which kept millions of BBC1 viewers gripped, was also crowned best drama.
Despite enduring the most difficult year of his career, Ant McPartlin had something to smile about as he and Declan Donnelly were crowned best presenters for the 17th year in a row.
However, the pair nearly missed collecting the first of their three awards after being held up in traffic and arriving late for the ceremony at the O2 Arena in London.
McPartlin, who jumped for joy when their award was announced, said: ‘Thank you very much. We love making I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Thank you for loving it too.’
Blue Planet II received the Impact Award for drawing global attention to the scourge of plastics in our oceans. The BBC1 series, presented by Sir David Attenborough, drew audiences of 14million and put plastic pollution at the centre of the environmental debate. Sir David received a standing ovation.
Channel 4’s Gogglebox was crowned best factual entertainment programme, while Strictly Come Dancing once again triumphed in the best talent show category – a sign that fans have warmed to new head judge Shirley Ballas. Miss Ballas said she would ‘gladly accept’ an offer to return to the hit BBC1 show.
Bruce Forsyth’s widow Lady Wilnelia paid tribute to her ‘darling Bruce’, saying the entertainer, who died in August aged 89, would have loved’ having an award named in his honour. The inaugural Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award went to Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.