The BAFTA Television awards take place Sunday the 26th of April.

This year you can vote for your favourite television programme of 2008 in the Philips Audience Award.

The Philips Audience Award is for the Best Programme of 2008. It is the only Award to be voted for by the public and the winner will be announced at the British Academy Television Awards on Sunday 26 April.

Six programmes that captured the public's imagination in 2008 have been shortlisted by a panel of media experts.

The programmes shortlisted are....

- THE APPRENTICE
- CORONATION STREET
- OUTNUMBERED
- SKINS
- WALLANDER
- X FACTOR

As part of the Philips Audience Award we're giving you the opportunity to win a state-of-the art Philips 42" Ambilight TV or an Official Nominee Gift Bag.

To enter the draw, simply cast your vote for your favourite programme of 2008.

This year you can vote via Phone, Text or Online. Details of how to vote via phone and text are at http://www.bafta.org/philips-audienc...

To vote online simply head to www.bafta.org/philipsaudienceaward to vote now!

After the Christmas break, the BAFTA office is now a flurry of activity as the nominations in the first two categories are announced.

Yesterday saw the announcement of the Film Not in the English category and the nominees for this year's Orange Rising Star Award have just been announced at Academy Headquarters.

Here are the nominations:

ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD

Michael Cera
Noel Clarke
Michael Fassbender
Rebecca Hall
Toby Kebbell

You can vote online or via Text. Head to http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/bac... for more information.


FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

The Baader Meinhof Complex
Gomorrah
I’ve Loved You So Long
Persepolis
Waltz with Bashir

To find out more, head to http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/nom....

The full list of nominations will be announced on Thursday 15 January.

Well, I didn’t think I’d be writing this! Officially I am now the proud owner of a shiny and ridiculously heavy BAFTA for the Breakthrough Talent Award.

It’s incredible - I seriously, seriously didn’t expect to win. Even when I saw the cameras at my table I was preparing myself for the grateful loser face, hoping that they wouldn’t spot any disappointment.

I heard my name, then cheers and applause and big hugs from my mum and dad who were sat on the table behind me. Then another hug from Ian Smith, the Television Workshop director, and another from Jon East, director of Summerhill. Then I was up there accepting the award! (I managed to thank everyone but the Workshop who got me to where I’m at and I hope this award will help them survive another year).

BAFTA / Richard KendalAfter a quick interview backstage [see the post below], I returned to the main room where everybody was full of congratulations and compliments and praise. I managed to get a picture with loads of people – Danni Minogue, the Chuckle Brothers, Jeremy Edwards, Keith Chegwin, that woman off Smart, Barney the CBBC presenter.

And then it was dancing ‘til two with my mum and dad and sister (some good tunes – I was quite surprised – even a bit of soul – I’m named after Otis Redding!).

Next day, back to Notts and to the reactions of all my mates and other family. Even had a laugh with some of the teachers about my first blog – and got the extension to the essay deadline! At my drama workshop they were all made up about it and really pleased for me. I’m having a celebration party this weekend for friends and family.

BAFTA / Richard KendalOn the Tuesday after the BAFTA, I was working on a Pizza Hut commercial directed by Shane Meadows (I was in Once Upon a Time in the Midlands) and he was dead happy for me. I was only a walk on – although got to be a waiter! – but that’s the way it goes. It’s a bit like the scorer for Histon against Leeds United – next day he was back to being a postman!

And then Tuesday night I was reading for a part in a new play we are doing called The Heights. It’s a bit deep, though I actually made some intelligent comments.

The BAFTA will be a big help to my acting career. Something I can put on my CV. And It’ll get my name out there (as well as the Workshop). It’s definitely changed my perception about myself – I’ve always wanted to act and always knew I had a bit of talent but to be recognised for my acting by something as big as a BAFTA!!!

Anyway, I’ll always keep it real and keep my feet firmly on the ground. Thank you BAFTA for an amazing evening and an amazing award.

Eliot, Thursday 4 December