London - Actress Caroline Aherne was the toast of the Baftas, British TV's equivalent of the Oscars, last night as she and her hit show The Royle Family won two top awards. She beat two of her series co-stars, Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston, to lift the best comedy performance title at the British Academy Television Awards, as well as collecting the best sitcom prize.
Veteran actress Dame Thora Hird struck a blow for the older generation by taking the best actress title for the second year running. The 88-year-old's performance in the touching drama Lost for Words was judged better than those of Dame Maggie Smith, Lindsay Duncan and Francesca Annis. Channel 4's Ali G was tipped to take best entertainment award but lost out to Irish comedy presenter Graham Norton.