Daring Catherine Tate takes the plunge at the Baftas

Comedian Catherine Tate may have demanded the red carpet spotlight in a head-turning dress, complete with very daring plunging neckline, but it was Victoria Wood who eventually stole the night at this year's TV Baftas.

Wood proving that her serious side, it seems, is just as well developed as her funny bone.

For a rare dramatic foray in her 30-year career, Wood was handed two top prizes at the awards.

Miss Wood, who turned 54 on the weekend, beat a trio of rising stars to be named best actress for her performance in ITV’s Housewife, 49.

Catherine Tate arrives in a plunging black gown

She's got some front: Catherine Tate dazzles on the red carpet

The poignant piece set during the Second World War, which she wrote based on the diaries of Nella Last, also won best single drama.

She collected her awards to rapturous applause from the crowd at the London Palladium.

Stars of British TV were out in force, including comedienne Catherine Tate, who wore a plunging black gown by Moschino, and Davina McCall, showing off her svelte post-pregnancy figure in a Diane von Furstenberg dress slit to the thigh.

Miss Wood, who wore an elegant blue chiffon gown by British designer Betty Jackson, now has seven Baftas in total – one of the highest tallies ever.

On stage she said: "I didn’t bring a joke with me because I wasn’t expecting to win either of them [nominations]."

She also paid tribute to her three fellow nominees for best actress, Anne-Marie Duff, Ruth Wilson and Samantha Morton, saying:

"They have got a long time ahead of them to win this because I am quite old now."

Ricky Gervais matched her awards total last night after winning best comedy performance for his role in Extras.

He was filming in the U.S. so it was left to his co-star Stephen Merchant, who he beat to the prize, to pick it up on his behalf.

On stage, Merchant joked: "He could have mentioned this before – talk about rubbing salt in the wounds."

Graham Norton and Philip Glenister arrive in the Life On Mars in Cortina

Victoria Wood with her two Baftas after the ceremony at the London Palladium

New mother Davina McCall arrives - and flaunts her new figure

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In other results, BBC2's That Mitchell & Webb Look was named best comedy programme, and The Royle Family episode entitled Queen of Sheba picked up the best situation comedy award.

Best actor: Jim Broadbent

Jonathan Ross picked up the best entertainment performance award for the second year in a row, his third Bafta.

The popular drama Life On Mars had been hotly tipped to take best drama series and best actor for John Simm but ended up with neither.

It did, however, win the audience award for best programme. Helen Mirren was also dealt a rare snub when Prime Suspect was eclipsed by ITV’s See No Evil: The Moors Murders for best drama serial.

Jim Broadbent received the best actor award for his portrayal of Lord Longford in the Channel 4 drama about the peer's attempts to free Hindley from prison.

BBC1's Casualty was the surprise of the night, winning best soap for the first time and Jimmy McGovern, who wrote The Street for BBC1, was handed the best drama series award.

Screenwriter Richard Curtis, of Notting Hill and Blackadder fame, received a fellowship award and The Queen producer Andy Harries received a special award.