View source for Cymru am byth from Cribbins tops off night for our award-winners

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| publication = Western Mail
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| date = 2010-01-21 
| author = Mike Jones
| pages = 7
| language = English
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Acting legend praises team as he accepts award for Doctor Who award-winners 

LEGENDARY actor Bernard Cribbins last night yelled "Cymru am byth" as he accepted an award which named Doctor Who as Britain's most popular drama. 

Taking to the stage alongside co-star David Tennant, Cribbins paid tribute to the programme's makers at BBC Wales and writer Russell T Davies, saying: "The whole team down there are certainly the best I've ever worked with." 

Doctor Who beat The Bill, Casualty and Shameless to the award, voted for by television viewers. 

Tennant also scooped the Outstanding Drama Performance gong at the National Television Awards - a prize he has won each year he has played Doctor Who. 

Tennant won the most popular actor gong in 2006 and 2007, and his predecessor Christopher Eccleston won in 2005. In 2008, the award was changed to Outstanding Drama Performance, and Tennant was once again the winner. Receiving the award, Tennant paid tribute to Russell T Davies, Neath-born producer Julie Gardner, and "the incredible, exceptional people who help make the show down at BBC Wales in Cardiff". 

He added: "The whole thing exceeded my expectations and that's due in no small part to the incredible audience." 

It was a great night for Welsh television, with James Corden and Ruth Jones' comedy series Gavin & Stacey, which has come to an end after three series, picking up the award for Most Popular Comedy Programme. It beat off stiff competition from Harry Hill's TV Burp, The Inbetweeners and previous winner Benidorm. Accepting the award, the show's co-writer and star Corden said: "Thank you very, very much. It means the world." 

It will be the last time Tennant can win the Outstanding Drama Performance award after quitting the show last year. 

Doctor Who has traditionally triumphed at the NTAs since its return to the screen and Tennant used the 2008 ceremony to announce his departure from the BBC sci-fi series. 

Accepting the most popular drama award, having been ushered to the microphone by Tennant, Oldham-born Cribbins appeared briefly lost for words before he said: "This is absolutely wonderful and I know how pleased he [Tennant] must be because he's been at it for four years and I think everybody involved with Doctor Who will be just as pleased. The whole team down there are certainly the best I've ever worked with. Thank you, BBC. Cymru am byth." 

It was also a good night for presenting duo Ant and Dec, who won two awards. Not only were they named Most Popular Entertainment Presenters but their ITV show Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was named Most Popular Entertainment Programme, beating Big Brother, The Paul O'Grady Show, and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, which they also present. 

Simon Cowell's hit singing competition X Factor won Most Popular Talent Show, stealing the crown from rival Strictly Come Dancing, which won last year. 

Loose Women celebrated a surprise win in the Most Popular Factual Programme category, beating previous winner Top Gear, The Apprentice and cult favourite Come Dine With Me. EastEnders actress Lacey Turner won the gong for Outstanding Serial Drama Performance. She plays Stacey Slater in the soap, who has battled mental health issues in the past year. 

Stephen Fry In America won Most Popular Star Travel Documentary, while Coronation Street's Craig Gazey won the award for Most Popular Newcomer. 

Before the awards, X Factor judge Dannii Minogue dazzled on the red carpet at London's 02 Arena - her first public engagement since she announced her pregnancy. 

Minogue, 38, who is three months pregnant with boyfriend Kris Smith, 31, looked blooming, but any signs of a baby bump were disguised by a full-skirted black and white striped vintage prom dress, which she wore with towering red heels. 

Also attracting huge cheers on the red carpet was actress Barbara Windsor, who is due to leave BBC soap EastEnders this year, and Tennant, both of whom signed autographs for fans. The show was opened by a performance from X Factor winner Joe McElderry. 

GRAPHIC: LOOKING GOOD: Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones arrive BUMPY RIDE: Cheryl Cole feels Dannii Minogue's pregnant tummy VICTORY: Alison Steadman, James Corden and Melanie Walters celebrate with the Comedy award received for Gavin & Stacey 

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