Downton Abbey edged out Sherlock at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, with the ITV1 period drama landing two prizes to the BBC1 series’ one.

The Carnival-produced Downton narrowly beat Hartswood’s Sherlock to best drama series, and creator Julian Fellowes won the writer’s award.

But Benedict Cumberbatch, who played the eponymous detective, won the award for best actor, ahead of Downton’s Hugh Bonneville and Tom Hollander (Rev, Any Human Heart).

Another drama, Channel 4’s Mo, also won two prized, picking up best single drama and best actress for Julie Walters.

The awards, to be presented today at a lunch at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, also honour Coronation Street creator Tony Warren with the Harvey Lee award for outstanding contribution to broadcasting, marking the soap’s 50th anniversary.

The Innovation award has gone to the trio of the BBC, ITV and Sky 1 for bringing about the first televised election debates during last year’s election.

The other big winner is the BBC’s latest factual star, Professor Brian Cox, whose Wonders of the Solar System was named best documentary series and picked up best performer in a non-acting role.

The BPG Awards are sponsored by Dave.

Full list of winners

Best Single Drama
Mo
(An ITV Studios production for Channel 4) 

Best Drama Series
Downton Abbey
(A Carnival Films/Masterpiece co-production for ITV1)
 
Best Single Documentary
Cutting Edge: My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
(A Firecracker Films production for Cutting Edge on Channel 4)

Best Documentary Series
Wonders of the Solar System
(A BBC Factual London and Science Channel co-production for BBC Two)

Best Comedy
Miranda
(A BBC Comedy production for BBC Two)

Best Factual Entertainment
The Apprentice
(A Talkback Thames production for BBC One) 

Best Multichannel Programme

Fry and Laurie: Reunited
(A Tiger Aspect production for GOLD) 

Best Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch
(Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock, for BBC One) 

Best Actress
Julie Walters
(Mo Mowlam in Mo, for Channel 4)

Best TV Performer in a Non-acting Role 
Professor Brian Cox for Wonders of the Solar System
(A BBC Factual London and Science Channel co-production for BBC Two)                       
           
Writer’s Award
Julian Fellowes
(Downton Abbey, a Carnival Films/Masterpiece co-production for ITV1)

Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Graham Seed
(Nigel Pargetter in The Archers, a BBC Radio production for BBC Radio 4)

Radio Programme of the Year
Ed Reardon’s Week
(A BBC Radio production for BBC Radio 4)

Innovation Award

The 2010 Leader Election Debates on Television (BBC, ITV & Sky)

Harvey Lee Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting
Tony Warren, creator of Coronation Street

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