RTS awards

Long-running CBBC drama The Dumping Ground won the prestigious Centre Award for its contribution to jobs and opportunities in the region’s screen sector at the RTS North East and the Border Awards in late February.

The children’s show, which made its debut in 2013 and is made by BBC Studios Kids & Family, is set in a care home and has been filmed across the North East. The series is a continuation of the CBBC drama Tracy Beaker Returns, which was based on the novels of Jacqueline Wilson.

Awards are made across 30 competitive categories. This year, the Soap and Continuing Drama category has been broadened to admit any drama series with at least 20 episodes.

Kenton Allen, Chair of the RTS Programme Awards, said: “This year is proving to be another year of outstanding creativity, and we have seen – and I am sure will continue to see – genre-defining, high-quality television hit our screens.

“The juries once again are likely to have some tough decisions to make.”

The black comedy about two estranged brothers was shot in Northern Ireland.

Martin, the first leading man with Down’s syndrome to appear in an Oscar-winning film, said: “It’s absolutely wonderful to receive this recognition in my home town. I hope my success encourages more young people like me to follow their dreams as I did.”

In March, Martin took home the Outstanding Newcomer prize at the RTS Republic of Ireland Awards.

The nominations were announced this morning via livestream by Gaby Roslin.

The BBC leads the way with 40 nominations across the 30 categories, followed by Channel 4 with 20, ITV with 11 and Sky with 9.

The BBC leads the way with 30 nominations across the 24 categories, followed by Channel 4 with 28, Sky with 10 and ITV with eight. BBC One, ITV and Sky Arts will compete for the prestigious RTS Channel of the Year award at the March ceremony.

The RTS West of England Awards is the only annual celebration of the region’s creative community and this year the region has again welcomed the work from the RTS Devon and Cornwall centre.

Accepting the award on behalf of Element Pictures Producer Emma Norton described what a “total joy” it was to work with so many extraordinarily talented people, including Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal as “our perfect Marianne & Connell”.