Sir Michael lands lifetime award

Published on Sunday 16 November 2008 18:31

VETERAN actor Sir Michael Caine and a newcomer who shot to fame in the BBC drama Merlin scooped gongs at the Variety Club's 56th Annual Showbusiness Awards last night.

Sir Michael, 75, took the prize for Outstanding Contribution to Showbusiness at the ceremony, hosted by impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw.

Colin Morgan, 22, who previously appeared in episodes of Doctor Who and The Catherine Tate Show before landing the title role as the wizard, won the Caron Keating Award for Outstanding New Talent.

Noel Edmonds, the cast of the musical Hairspray, Kenneth Branagh and James McAvoy were also among the winners.

Hairspray won the Musical Theatre Award, while Edmonds, 59, whose career was revived thanks to Channel 4 teatime show Deal or No Deal, took the Showbusiness Personality Prize.

Scottish actor McAvoy, 29, was honoured with the Variety Club Film Award for acclaimed performances in movies including Atonement, The Last King of Scotland, and Wanted.

Branagh, 47, won the Stage Performance gong for his performance in the title role in Anton Chekhov's tragicomedy Ivanov. Oscar-winning Hollywood star Al Pacino scooped the International Award at the ceremony.