Late Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride took centre stage at the National Television Awards as colleagues and rivals paid tribute - despite the ITV show leaving empty handed.
The star's screen husband William Roache - who worked alongside her for 40 years - declared "I love you Anne" after speaking warmly of his "vibrant, warm-hearted, loving" colleague in a speech that left many in tears.
And as EastEnders beat Corrie to the best soap prize - one of three awards to head to Walford - actor Adam Woodyatt said his show would be nothing without its ITV competitor.
In reference to a celebrated storyline in which Kirkbride's character Deirdre was wrongly jailed, Woodyatt (who plays Ian Beale) said: "If you don't mind, we'd like to accept this for the Weatherfield One."
Other winners at the annual ceremony staged at London's O2 Arena included Broadchurch and former Doctor Who star David Tennant getting the special recognition award.
Ant and Dec were double winners as they took the best entertainment presenter prize for the 14th successive year, while their series I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! landed the best entertainment programme trophy - beating another of their shows Saturday Night Takeaway.
Actress Sheridan Smith landed the best drama performance prize, but failed make it to the ceremony on time after her taxi got stuck in traffic en route, causing her to turn up late with an apology.
And In a shock result, despite trailing in the ratings last year, The X Factor beat Strictly Come Dancing to the best talent show prize.
But it was the death of Kirkbride on Monday which cast a long shadow. Street colleagues including Barbara Knox and Sally Dynevor attended the ceremony despite still grieving, and just a day after filming on the soap was abandoned as the cast came to terms with their loss.
Roache, standing beneath a huge image of Kirkbride's face, told guests from the TV world: "I feel so blessed, honoured and privileged to have had those years working with Anne.
"What we'll remember the most is the vibrant, warm-hearted, loving person who came to work each day, gave us all a hug and brightened up our lives.
"Together with Anne's brother John and his family, David, and her Coronation Street family, and especially Beverley Callard - who was very close to Anne in her last days - we've been deeply touched by the outpouring of love for Anne since she passed away on Monday evening."
His voice trembling with emotion, he said: "We share your grief and sadness at losing such a beautiful person who'll be so greatly missed by us all."
He added: "I love you, Anne. Thank you."
Woodyatt, collecting the top soap prize for EastEnders, acknowledged the key role of its TV rival.
He said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to Coronation Street because without you there would be no EastEnders. There would be no Phil and Ian, no Mick and Linda, no Kat and Alfie, without your enduring characters like Ken and Deirdre."
Here is the full list of winners:
:: Factual:
Gogglebox
:: Multichannel:
Celebrity Juice
:: Newcomer:
Maddy Hill
:: Talent Show:
The X Factor
:: Skills Challenge Show:
The Great British Bake Off
:: Serial Drama:
EastEnders
:: TV Judge:
David Walliams
:: Serial Drama Performance:
Danny Dyer
:: Chat Show Host:
Alan Carr
:: Comedy:
Mrs Brown's Boys
:: Daytime:
This Morning
:: Drama Performance:
Sheridan Smith
:: Drama:
Downton Abbey
:: Entertainment Presenter:
Ant & Dec
:: Entertainment Programme
I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!
:: Landmark Award:
Comic Relief
:: Special Recognition:
David Tennant
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