'Life on Mars' wins big at BPG Awards

BBC drama Life on Mars, picking up two titles, was among the big winners at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.

The time-travel cop show, currently in its second series, was given the writer's award and prize for best drama series. The awards, presented on Thursday night, are decided by television and radio journalists.

Dame Helen Mirren continued her run of award success with a best actress honour for her role in Prime Suspect: The Final Act.

Longford, a Channel 4 drama about Myra Hindley and prison reformed Lord Longford, won best one-off drama and star Jim Broadbent got best actor.

Best documentary series and innovation in broadcasting awards both went to the BBC's Planet Earth while best single documentary was Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, from BBC Two.

Comeback episode The Royale Family: Queen of Sheba won best comedy/entertainment and Russell Brand, who send a video "thank you" speech from LA, got best performer in a non-acting role.

Radio broadcaster of the year went to Sandi Toksvig, as chairman of The News Quiz and Excess Baggage host and while radio programme of the year was spoof phone-in show Down The Line. All are on Radio 4.