Independently produced programmes from across the region were recognised on Saturday at the Royal Television Society North West awards.

Red Production Company took home the Judges’ Award and also saw performers in two of its hit dramas of the year – John Simm in ITV’s Prey and Sarah Lancashire in BBC1’s Happy Valley – walk off with the coveted main acting awards.

Blakeway North was favoured with two awards, including the best current affairs programme for E.D.L Girls – Don’t Call Me Racist, while Citizen Khan claimed the comedy prize and Jimmy McGovern’s Common won the drama award.

The Hilton Hotel in Manchester played host to the extravagant ceremony on Saturday 15 November, with presenting duties assigned to Citizen Khan star Adil Ray and TV presenter Helen Skelton.

Alex Connock, Chair of the RTS North West Centre and MD of Shine North, said:

“Once again the RTS Northwest Awards have been bigger than ever – both in entries and on the night. They have demonstrated the range, depth and growth of TV production in our region, in MediaCity of course, but also in Liverpool and the centre of Manchester too. This may be TV in the regions, but it is certainly not regional TV – in fact much of it is not only national in impact, but global in reach.”

The full list of winners:

Best Learning or Education Programme
A to Z of WW1
BBC Learning for BBC Two

Best Animation / Puppetry
Share A Story; Captain Jack Pants
CITV for CITV

Best Children’s Programme (Pre-School)
Old Jack’s Boat – The Christmas Quest
BBC Children’s for CBeebies

Best Children’s Programme (School Age)
Strange Hill High
BBC Children’s/FremantleMedia Kids/ Factory for CBBC

Best Current Affairs Programme
E.D.L Girls – Don’t Call Me Racist
Blakeway North for BBC Three

Best Post Production (Craft)
Perspectives – Under My Skin. Emeli Sandè in search of Frida Kahlo
Flix Facilities for ITV

Best Production (Craft)
Perspectives – Under My Skin. Emeli Sandè in search of Frida Kahlo
Blakeway North for ITV

Award for Innovation in Multiplatform
Hollyoaks
Lime Pictures for Channel 4

Best Regional News Journalist
Jayne McCubbin
BBC North West Tonight for BBC One

Best Regional News Programme
BBC NORTH WEST TONIGHT – HILLSBOROUGH
BBC North West Tonight for BBC One

Best Regional Story
Inside Out – Morecambe Bay Cocklepickers
BBC Current Affairs for BBC One

Best Sports Programme
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013
BBC Sport for BBC One

Best Low Budget Programme
The Charlie Hides Show
Saffron Cherry TV for London Live

Best Script Writer
Jimmy McGovern – Common
LA Productions for BBC One

Best Performance in a Comedy
Adil Ray – Citizen Khan
BBC Comedy Production North for BBC One

Best Performance in a Continuing Drama
Alison King – Coronation Street
ITV Studios for ITV

Best Single Documentary
Tubular Bells; The Mike Oldfield Story
Tigerlily Films & Dusty Slider for BBC Four

Best Performance in a Single Drama or Drama Series (Male)
John Simm – Prey
Red Production Company for ITV

Best Performance in a Single Drama or Drama Series (Female)
Sarah Lancashire – Happy Valley
Red Production Company for BBC One

Best Factual Series
Rip-Off Britain
BBC Current Affairs Salford for BBC One

Best Factual Entertainment Programme
The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Song
Shiver for ITV

Best Entertainment Programme
Sam and Mark’s Big Friday Wind-up
BBC Children’s for CBBC

Judges’ Award
Red Production Company

Best Comedy Programme
Citizen Khan
BBC Comedy Production North for BBC One

Best Single Drama or Drama Series
Common
LA Productions for BBC One

Best Continuing Drama Storyline
Coronation Street – Hayley’s Cancer
ITV Studios for ITV

Source: Prolific North
Image
Words: Daniel Pearce