BBC1’s Planet Earth won best documentary/factual series and scooped the innovation in broadcasting award, for its new filming methods.

The BBC won eight of the 14 non-performance categories.

Stephen Fry: The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive, on BBC2, was named best single documentary.

Caroline Aherne’s The Royle Family: Queen Of Sheba, an hour-long special on BBC1, took the comedy/entertainment award.

Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather, for Sky One, won the award for best multi-channel programme.

The award for outstanding contribution to children’s broadcasting went to Anne Wood, whose credits include Rosie And Jim, Tots TV, Roland Rat and Rub A Dub Tub.

Hundreds complain about Russell - Feb 15 2007
The Brits’ return to live broadcasting last night sparked hundreds of complaints about host Russell Brand’s risque jokes. see photos

ITV1 had received around 300 calls and emails from irate viewers by first thing this morning, and they are continuing to flood in, while media watchdog Ofcom logged a further 100.

Loudmouth Russell, known for his near-the-knuckle humour, poked fun at the Queen, Tory leader David Cameron and pop star Robbie Williams.

He also shocked the audience with a joke about the recent "friendly fire" tragedy in Iraq, which failed to raise a laugh.

"I think a good international breakthrough would be if the British and American soldiers tell each other where they are standing.

"Alternatively they could use a system I learned at school, where one team takes off their tops and the others don’t. This makes the team distinction clear. It allows you to see fat lads’ boobs, which can really lift the mood in a drab football match - or indeed a war."

And as part of another bizarre gag, he said: "Can you genuinely say that if someone gives you an envelope with a photo of the Queen’s privates inside, you wouldn’t have a look?"

The showbiz bash was shown live on ITV1 - albeit with a 30-second delay - and swearing was bleeped out before the watershed.

The channel said the complaints were about the host rather than bad language, and despite the furore, it was happy with his performance.

"Russell was an edgy host for an edgy live event. It worked well but obviously we apologise for any offence caused."

Russell to quit Big Mouth? - Feb 15 2007
It seems Russell Brand might be quitting as the host of Big Brother’s Big Mouth.

The wild-haired presenter has hinted that he might not be back for the next series of the reality TV show spin-off because the work schedule is so tough.

"I’ll let you in on a secret - I may not be presenting the next series of Big Brother’s Big Mouth," he said in a column he was guest-editing in the Daily Mirror.

"It is six nights a week for three months - that’s hard work guys!"

And loudmouthed Russell admitted he hated watching the Shilpa Shetty row unfold in the Celebrity Big Brother house this year.

"I must say I felt really uncomfortable when I watched the rows between Jade, Jo, Danielle and Shilpa on CBB," he said, adding that it was "good everyone took a stance against racism".

He added: "We should be tolerant of people like Jade who haven’t been well educated. Here endeth the lesson!"

Russell relaxed about Brits - Feb 14 2007
Wacky presenter Russell Brand says he’s relaxed about tonight’s Brits - despite the fact it’s live.