Comedian Tom Gleeson may go down as the most contentious Gold Logie winner ever.
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Despite mocking the annual Australian television awards and running comedic smear campaigns against his fellow nominees, Gleeson ended the night as the winner.
Gardening guru Cost Georgiadis had been on a roll, picking up two awards before the big one, and even Gleeson thought he would lose to his ABC colleague.
"I thought I wasn't going to win this so I have been drinking heavily since Costa won best presenter," he said.
But in the end, actor Rebecca Gibney read out Gleeson's name at the end of the 61st Gold Logie awards held on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.
"I am in a tricky spot because I like it and I hate it at the same time," he said.
Fellow nominees - Amanda Keller, Rodger Corser, Sam Mac, Eve Morey and Waleed Aly - were left empty-handed on the night.
Georgiadis won the best presenter award and Gardening Australia took the award for the most popular lifestyle program.
"Thank you to all of the executive at the ABC for backing a half man, half hedge," the hirsute gardener, who was wearing a suit festooned with flowers.
Wheelchair athlete Dylan Alcott, who recently won the French Open title, won the Graham Kennedy award for most popular new talent on Sunday night.
His television breakthrough came as a co-host of the Invictus Games Tonight show and The Set.
"One of the reasons I hated it was because when I turned on the TV I never saw anybody like me."
English actress Jenna Coleman won the Silver Logie for best actress for her role in the ABC drama, The Cry.
She was unable to accept in person as she is filming the new series of Victoria in England.
Scott Ryan, who also was unable to attend because he is filming Mr Inbetween, won the Silver Logie for best actor for his role in the gritty Foxtel drama.
The Stan series, Bloom, won two awards - most outstanding mini series or telemovie and most outstanding supporting actress for industry veteran Jacki Weaver.
Weaver, who has previously been nominted for an Oscar, was thrilled to win the Logie.
"I don't believe I deserve it. The other girls deserved it much more than me. However, I am thrilled. I'm keeping it," Weaver who last won a Logie in 1978 said in a video.
"It's been a long time between drinks. I hope I don't have to wait that long for the next one."
Another industry veteran, Frankie J Holden, won the Logie for most outstanding supporting actor for his role on the Foxtel drama, A Place To Call Home.
ABC animated show, Bluey, won the most outstanding children's program. It's about to reach a huge international audience after being picked up by Disney.
MasterChef Australia won the night's first Logie award, winning the most popular reality award for the first time since 2011.
The Ten Network's cooking competition, now in its 11th season, beat out competition My Kitchen Rules, The Block and Married At First Sight.
The ABC's Mystery Road was a surprise winner of the most popular drama program, defeating high-rating commercial shows such as Home and Away and Doctor Doctor.
"I want to thank all the fans, Australian public for accepting us and taking us into their lounge rooms," star Aaron Pederson said in accepting the award.
Deborah Mailman also won the most popular actress award for her role in the ABC program.
Another surprise winner was Luke McGregor in the most popular actor category.
The Rosehavan actor beat more high-profile actors including Rodger Corser and Ray Meagher to take out the gong.
Ten's The Project beat ABC Story, 7.30, A Current Affairs, 60 Minutes and Four Corners to win the most popular panel or current affairs program.
Co-host Carrie Bickmore, who has just returned from maternity leave, was surprised the program - which turns 10 in a few weeks - had won.
"I still remember the first episode. It was terrible ... For us still to be here 10 years later, is so amazing."
Gogglebox, shown both on Foxtel and Ten, picked up the award for most popular entertainment program.
SBS's coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup won the most outstanding sport coverage while Ron Iddles: The Good Cop won the former Victorian homicide detective and Foxtel the most outstanding factual or documentary program.
"Tonight's award is not for Foxtel. It is not for me. It is for the victims who no longer have a voice," Iddles said.
The ABC was the night's biggest winner. But commercial rivals - Seven and Nine - failed to pick up a single win.
Australian Associated Press
