LONDON, UK (X17online) Former American Idol judge Simon Cowell was a double winner at the BAFTA awards, taking home the statue for Best Entertainment Program and a special award for Outstanding Contribution for his work in the entertainment industry.

In front of a packed house at the London Palladium, Cowell, 50, spoke out about receiving two British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards. He said:

"This is a genuine honour. To put this into perspective, on a personal level, one of my happiest memories as a kid was my dad coming back with a TV set and watching the one programme in colour. So standing here tonight getting this award for making TV shows is the happiest feeling of my life."

In addition to launching the X-Factor later this year here in the US, the former AI judge also appears on Britain's Got Talent and the UK's X-Factor.

Below is the list of winners:

Fellowship:
Melvyn Bragg

Special award:
Simon Cowell

Leading actor:
Kenneth Branagh – Wallander

Leading actress:
Julie Walters – Mo

Supporting actor:
Matthew MacFadyen – Criminal Justice

Supporting actress:
Rebecca Hall – Red Riding 1974

Entertainment performance:
Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly – I'm A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!

Female performance in a comedy role:
Rebecca Front – The Thick Of It

Male performance in a comedy role:
Peter Capaldi – The Thick Of It

Single drama:
The Unloved

Drama series:
Misfits

Entertainment program:
Britain's Got Talent