Image caption Bean was honoured for playing teacher Simon, aka 'Tracie', in BBC One drama Accused

Sean Bean's performance as a cross-dressing teacher in Accused saw him crowned best actor at this year's Royal Television Society Programme Awards.

Olivia Colman was also recognised for her work on the BBC courtroom drama, beating fellow cast member Anne-Marie Duff to the best actress prize.

The BBC's Sherlock also won two awards, picking up prizes for best drama series and best drama writer.

Film-maker Danny Boyle picked up one of the two honorary judges' awards.

The Oscar-winning director was recognised for his opening ceremony to the London 2012 games, described by the panel as "the most surprising, dazzling, original night of television" seen last year.

Boyle, like Bean, did not attend Tuesday's event, being otherwise occupied at the London premiere of his new psychological thriller Trance.

But other winners were on hand to collect honours, among them TV duo Ant and Dec - joint winners of the entertainment performance award for their work on ITV's I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.

The event came one week on from another awards ceremony at the same venue at which Dec - full name Declan Donnelly - made a rare appearance without Ant - full name Anthony McPartlin - due to the latter being ill.

The BBC's coverage of the Olympics picked up the Royal Television Society's live event prize, while David Gordon, who oversaw the corporation's games coverage, was given a lifetime achievement award.

Image caption Ant and Dec were reunited following Dec's solo appearance at an awards event last week

There was also recognition for Clare Balding, named best presenter for her "joyful, effortless and commanding" work on London 2012, and for Channel 4's coverage of the Paralympics.

In the international category, Lena Dunham's HBO sitcom Girls took the plaudits ahead of terrorism thriller Homeland and Danish political drama Borgen.

In the field of comedy, meanwhile, there were prizes for Twenty Twelve star Jessica Hynes and Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge special Welcome to the Places of my Life.

The awards, which also honoured history, arts, science and children's programming, were presented at a central London ceremony hosted by comedian Jo Brand.

Founded in 1927 and granted its Royal title in 1966, the Royal Television Society (RTS) is an educational charity that describes itself as "Britain's leading forum for television and related media".