Heroes on the award trail

11:46am Thursday 24th April 2008

THE flying Petrelli brothers glided into London for the BAFTAs (BBC1, Sunday), a fitting taster for the much awaited return of Heroes this week.

They were on hand to receive an award for the programme for best international show - and deservedly so.

The rest of the awards at the ceremony, hosted in impish style by Graham Norton, were a mixed bag. I'm at a loss to explain how the wonderful Life On Mars failed to win the best drama series award for the second year running - perhaps it was far too popular for the luvvies at the academy.

The combined drug-taking, alcohol swilling, adulterous, conniving staff of Holby City, however, took the award for best continuing drama from under the noses of more conventional soaps EastEnders and Emmerdale. And didn't the glammed up girls from Albert Square look peeved that they couldn't parade up to the stage in their finery!

Harry Hill's TV Burp was served up a double - for best entertainment performance and best entertainment programme - with the man himself accepting the awards in typical manic fashion. And Gavin and Stacey continued its bid to take over the world by also winning two awards.

If there were some dubious choices during the night, at least BAFTA got the big one right in awarding the the Fellowship to Bruce Forsyth, the ultimate entertainer and a lovely man as well.

Saturday night on ITV1 saw the start of another game show vehicle for Bolton's embryo Brucie, Vernon Kay. Beat the Star pits members of the public against celebrities in a series of games for a big money prize.

Vernon didn't have to go far for the first celebrity - Bolton boxer Amir Khan. Who can we expect next week - Peter Kay?