Downton Abbey’s final series wins best drama at the National Television Awards

Downton Abbey has picked up the top drama prize at tonight’s National Television Awards.

The long-running ITV drama, which bowed out on Christmas Day after six seasons, beat off competition from Broadchurch, Doctor Who and Casualty.

Creator Julian Fellowes took to the stage to collect the drama’s final prize, alongside Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge and a group of the show’s stars including Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Raquel Cassidy and Henry Hadden-Paton.

Carmichael, who played Lady Edith, spoke emotionally about what the award means to the cast, saying: “It’s been an incredible six years… thank you for coming on the journey with us.”