British shows sweep world Emmys

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British shows Life on Mars and Little Britain were among the winners at this year's International Emmy awards.

Life On Mars was named best drama series at the New York event, while Little Britain won best comedy.

Ray Winstone was crowned best actor for his role in ITV1 drama Vincent, while Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares show won for "non-scripted entertainment".

Irish comedian Graham Norton hosted the ceremony, which honoured television programmes produced outside the US.

Another UK series, Channel 4's Sugar Rush, won in the children and young people category.

British productions had been nominated in all nine Emmy categories.

'Responsible'

Held in the grand ballroom of the New York Hilton, the event ended with a special presentation to Steven Spielberg recognising his television career.

Steven Spielberg received the Emmys' Founders award <a href="/1/hi/entertainment/6168240.stm" class="">Full list of winners</a> Accepting his award, the Oscar-winning film-maker thanked TV for giving him his first break at the age of 21.

"Television itself is just a piece of technology," he said. "We can't blame it for what it broadcasts.

"We need to be responsible and careful about what we put into that box because what comes out the other end truly has changed the world."

In an interview before the ceremony, the Schindler's List director said he was "very concerned" about the level of violence and gore in such shows as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Ray Winstone's award was accepted by his actress daughter Jamie, who appeared in an episode of Vincent broadcast earlier this year.

"I'm so proud of him," she told the audience. "He's like highly inspirational, an amazing dad."

The documentary award went to Hiroshima, a BBC co-production about the dropping of the atom bomb on the Japanese city in August 1945.

Celebrity presenters at the event included actress Susan Sarandon and journalist Katie Couric.