Brian’s TV awards out of this world

Chadderton’s science poster boy Professor Brian Cox was the star himself after becoming a double winner at the Royal Television Society Awards.

The former Hulme Grammar School pupil, ex-pop star and now academic was rewarded for making his series about the solar system a mainstream hit.

He was named best presenter — beating Piers Morgan and Reggie Yates — and his BBC2 series Wonders of the Solar System took the science and natural history prize.

The astrophysicist — who had a first taste of fame as a member of chart act D:ream — thanked the BBC for allowing an academic to become a presenter.

Another double winner last night was Miranda Hart, who has won huge acclaim for her BBC2 sitcom Miranda, which is soon to be moved to BBC1. She collected the prize for best comedy performance and her show landed the award for best scripted comedy.

“I’m really thrilled because I don’t really like writing — I find it really hard work,” she said as she collected her scriptwriting prize.