THE KING'S Speechhas dominated this year's Baftas, picking up a number of awards, including best film and leading actor for Colin Firth.
It was the second year running Firth had won the prize and he joked: “I like coming here, thank you Bafta.”
Other stars from the film were also honoured, with Helena Bonham Carter winning the supporting actress award for her role as the queen mother, while co-star Geoffrey Rush picked up the supporting actor prize for his portrayal of speech therapist Lionel Logue.
Harry Potterstar Emma Watson presented the outstanding British film award to the film's director, Tom Hooper, who paid tribute to its writer David Seidler, adding: "This is absolutely thrilling to win this award in this room with so many colleagues who we have worked with over the years."
The King's Speech, which picked up the first award of the night for original music, was also given the original screenplay gong.
The stars had to dodge the rain on the red carpet as they arrived for the ceremony, with some of the biggest names in the business, including Samuel L Jackson and Danny Boyle, at the Royal Opera House in London for the event.
Host Jonathan Ross opened the ceremony with a string of gags, promising Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais would not get into the building and saying any young actor would have given their right arm for a role in 127 Hours.
The best director prize was awarded to David Fincher for The Social Network, while Natalie Portman won the leading actress award for her role as a ballet dancer in Black Swan.
A special award was also presented to the Harry Potterseries for outstanding contribution to cinema.
SOME WINNERS
Best film: The King's Speech.
Director:David Fincher for The Social Network.
Leading actor:Colin Firth for The King's Speech.
Leading actress:Natalie Portman for Black Swan.
Supporting actor:Geoffrey Rush, for The King's Speech.
Supporting actress:Helena Bonham Carter for The King's Speech.