We were saddened by the absence of such artsdesk favourites as Spooks and Sherlock from the list of winners of last night's National Television Awards at the O2 Arena, who were all chosen by the public's votes. Of course, we share the national euphoria at the news of Bruce Forsyth's Special Recognition Award for his... er... interminable career. "This would be a good night to announce my retirement but I'm not bloody going to," the Strictly Come Dancing host told disappointed reporters. We would also send our congratulations to Top Entertainment Presenters Ant and Dec if we knew which one was which. Perhaps one of them could dress up as Jedward or something.
Indestructible veteran Sir David Jason was gonged-up for Outstanding Drama Performance for his work in A Touch of Frost. That was bad news for current Doctor Who Matt Smith, since the incumbent Doctor can usually rely on winning this one. Doctor Who (the show) also lost out for the Popular Drama prize, which went to school drama Waterloo Road (which starts a new series on Wednesday, 2 February on BBC One).
Other big surprises (not) included The X Factor being named the Most Popular Talent Show, EastEnders being crowned top soap, and Top Gear Most Popular Factual Programme. ITV1's Benidorm collected Most Popular Comedy Programme and E4's The Inbetweeners bagged the Digital Choice accolade.
And while we're on the subject of awards - which are like wasps round a jam jar at this time of year - we should give a tip of theartsdesk hat to Channel 4's This is England '86 and BBC Two's Rev, which won in the TV Drama and Comedy categories respectively at Tuesday's South Bank Sky Arts Awards.
Overleaf: watch David Jason in A Touch of Frost