Royle Family stars Liz Smith (left) and Sue Johnston celebrate

British director Sam Mendes won the cinema prize for American Beauty at the event on Wednesday in London's Savoy Hotel, hosted by the ITV show's presenter Melvyn Bragg.

The South Bank Show Awards recognise achievements in all fields of the arts ranging from opera and dance to cinema and TV drama.

David was not able to pick up his award in person. However, the award's presenter Nigel Lythgoe - of ITV's Popstars - acknowledged that David has proved himself a talent over the last year.

As well as his Mobo and Brits recommendations, David's first solo single Fill Me In shot to number one nine months ago.

Harold Pinter took the award for outstanding achievement

His follow-up track Seven Days and his debut album Born To Do It followed suit.

Elsewhere, debut novelist Zadie Smith was beaten to the South Bank award for literature by Peter Ackroyd for his epic London: The Biography.

Earlier this week, her book White Teeth surprised pundits by missing out on the prestigious Whitbread Prize..

Harold Pinter - regarded by many as Britain's greatest living playwright - received the award for outstanding achievement.

Full list of winners

Television Drama - Marion and Geoff

Classical Music - Judith Weir, We Are Shadows

Popular Music - Craig David

Visual Art - Norman Foster, for the Great Court at The British Museum

Comedy - The Royle Family

Dance - Sir Anthony Dowell and The Royal Ballet

Cinema - Sam Mendes for American Beauty

Literature - Peter Ackroyd for London: The Biography

Opera - Mark Anthony Turnage for Silver Tassie

Theatre - As You Like It, produced by Sheffield Theatres

Outstanding Achievement In The Arts - Harold Pinter