Three years ago, what odds would you have got on ITV1 winning a Golden Globe? Well how times have changed, with Carnival-produced ITV hit drama Downton Abbey picking up the 2011 award for best TV mini-series.

Downton delight was not the only highlight for the Brits. Matt Le Blanc won Best Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy for Episodes, made entirely in the UK.

Kate Winslet won best actress in a mini-series for HBO’;s Mildred Pierce while Idris Elba was named best actor for his role in BBC1 detective drama Luther.

Commenting on Downton”s win, the show”s avuncular creator Julian Fellowes said: “The whole Downton adventure has been an extraordinary one. Like spotting a promising child and waking up to find they’;ve have won the Olympics.”

And, not forgetting the film side of the industry, Meryl Streep won Best Actress in a Drama for her role as the eponymous Iron Lady, Film4”s biographical hit. Meanwhile Michelle Williams picked up Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for My Week With Marilyn, coincidentally the same award Monroe won in 1960 for Some Like It Hot.