Tess Daly thanked the viewers at home as 'Strictly Come Dancing' won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Programme.

Strictly Come Dancing has won a BAFTA just months ahead of its 20th anniversary

Strictly Come Dancing has won a BAFTA just months ahead of its 20th anniversary

The 55-year-old star has hosted the BBC One Latin and ballroom show since its inception in 2004 and after it received the British Academy Television Award with P+O Cruises, admitted that the prestigious accolade was the "best birthday present" ahead of the show's 20th anniversary.

Speaking live on stage at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday (12.05.24), she explained: "It's our 20th anniversary this year...we've been on telly for 20 years, so this is the greatest birthday present.And to the viewers at home, thank you so much for watching because we would not be here without you so it really does mean the world. This award is for our entire 'Strictly' team who are the best in television, they work so hard and they're led my our incredible executive producer Sarah James.

"It's just been the most wonderful series, and we want to say thank you to our celebrities for being so brave in taking part!"

Tess has fronted the competition - which last year was won by former 'Coronation Street' actress Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola - with Claudia Winkleman for more than a decade and after their show beat out 'Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas', 'Later with Jools Holland' , and 'Michael McIntyre’s Big Show' for the award, her co-star gave a shoutout to judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

Claudia added: "We have to mention our extraordinary judges they are the backbone of our show, as well as our professional dancers. Thank you BAFTA!"

Elsewhere, Matthew MacFadyen was awarded Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Succession', having already won the Outstanding Supporting Actor at the Emmys for his role in the hit comedy-drama.

The 49-year-old actor played Tom Wambsgans in the HBO series that focused on a media organisation and beat Amit Shah, ('Happy Valley'), Éanna Hardwick ('The Sixth Commandment'), Harris Dickinson, ('A Murder At The End of The World') ,Jack Lowden, ('Slow Horses') and Salim Daw ('The Crown') to the title of Best Supporting Actor for his role but could not attend the ceremony to collect his award.

Presenter Helena Bonham Carter said: "He's not here...I don't know why, but...I'll give it to him!" as she walked off stage.