TV shows linked to Huddersfield have that winning touch.
The stars were out in force on the red carpet at London’s Hilton on Park Lane last night for the TV Choice Awards.
And the winners included crime drama, Happy Valley, created by Huddersfield-born Sally Wainwright, partly filmed in Huddersfield and set in Calderdale.
Others to collect awards were the school documentary Educating Yorkshire, made in Dewsbury, and fantasy drama Game of Thrones, starring Huddersfield actress Lena Headey.
They joined some of Britain’s biggest celebrity names, including David Walliams, and Ant & Dec, in scooping coveted trophies, as voted by the British viewing public.
In its 18th year of honouring TV’s best stars and shows, the ceremony was hosted for the first time by quick-witted all-rounder David Mitchell.
It was no surprise that the gritty Happy Valley won in the Best New Drama category, with its star Sarah Lancashire taking home the Best Actress trophy for her performance as policewoman Catherine Cawood.
The show was filmed mainly in Calderdale but also at North Light Studios in Armitage Bridge. Wainwright, the prolific writer of At Home With The Braithwaites, Scott & Bailey and Last Tango In Halifax struck gold again with the hard-hitting drama, about a kidnap that spirals out of control. The acclaimed series has now been renewed for a second run.
The role of policewoman Cawood was a gift of a part for the actress Sarah Lancashire, who made her name as Coronation Street’s ditzy barmaid Raquel. Since then she has starred in numerous hit dramas including Where The Heart Is, filmed in Huddersfield.
Writer Sally Wainwright said she was blown away by Sarah’s performance in Last Tango, which prompted her to write Happy Valley.
The award for the Best Factual Show went to Educating Yorkshire, the warts and all documentary series at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury.
Channel 4’s heartwarming fly on the wall series proved a hit with both critics and viewers, as it showed life at the chalkface, and made stars of Mr Mitchell, teacher Mr Burton and stammering student Mushy P.
There was an international award for the HBO’s smash hit series, Game of Thrones ,based on the novels by George R R Martin. It has been wowing fans since 2011, and just days after the fourth series premiered, the broadcaster renewed it for seasons five and six.
Former Shelley College student Lena Headey plays Cersei Lannister.
