DOCTOR Who stole the show at the star-studded Welsh Bafta Awards.
The popular sci-fi show won six categories at the ceremony held at the Wales Millennium Centre, in Cardiff Bay, last night, out of a total eight nominations.
Wales’ stars lined up along the red carpet for one of the country’s most showbiz nights of the year, which was hosted by Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones.
The biggest winner was Doctor Who, which scooped awards for best drama series, best sound, best director of photography for Ernie Vincze and best director for James Strong.
It also won the best make-up award for the episode The Shakespeare Code.
Accepting the show’s award for best drama, Phil Collinson said: “Thanks to South Wales for putting up with the lights, the big noise and the inconvenience.”
Wales grand slam rugby captain Ryan Jones was met with a great reception from the audience when he came forward to announce Steven Moffat as the winner in the best screenwriter category for the Dr Who episode Blink.
Mr Moffat also received cheers when he accepted his award and said: “We’ve all been given a view of what space will look like – and it’ll look like Wales.”
Meanwhile, BBC Wales’ Torchwood won just one award for best costume for Ray Holman as Captain Jack Harkness.
Awards were presented by celebrities including Porthcawl-born Gavin and Stacey writer Ruth Jones, who asked host Gethin: “what’s occurring” in the style of her character Nessa before presenting the best actor award to Rhodri Evan.
Co-star Joanna Page, who plays Stacey in the hit sitcom, brought her mum along to enjoy the night and other guests included Sian Lloyd and husband Jonathan Ashman, and husband and wife team Rhodri and Lucy Owen.
Actor Glyn Houston, who was born in Tonypandy, Rhondda, won the Gwobr Arbennig Bafta Cymru Special Award for outstanding contribution to film, television or new media. Over a 55-year career, Houston, 81, has earned more than 100 film and television credits. He said: “I’ve got some good news for you all. Growing old is really not all that bad. Sometimes you put porridge in the teapot and you always lose your comb and then find it in your hair. But you can always do radio.”
laura.wright@mediawales.co.uk
