The dramatic opening scene from the BBC’s hit drama Bodyguard, starring Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes, has been voted TV Moment of the Year.

The 20-minute nail-biting scene, set on a commuter train, shows Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden) trying to rumble terrorist activity and a suicide bombing attempt while remaining incognito. It was voted TV Moment of the Year in heat magazine’s annual Unmissables Awards, decided by a panel of industry experts.

Also in the running for the accolade was loveable Rahul winning the Great British Bake Off, Eve’s first kill in the cat and mouse thriller Killing Eve, Jack’s ex arriving in this year’s hit reality show Love Island and the closing titles reveal of HBO’s Sharp Objects.

heat magazine’s Entertainment Director, Boyd Hilton, commented: “Great TV isn’t just about 13-episode binges, it’s also about indelible sequences that become rooted in your mind forever. Scenes such as the opening of Bodyguard. Yes, it went on for 20 minutes, but it’s the best TV drama start ever.”

Creator Jed Mercurio added, “Thanks so much for this award. Everyone involved is immensely grateful for the response to the series.”

Elsewhere in heat’s end of year roll of honour, Dermot O’Leary won TV & Radio Presenter of the Year, Coronation Street won Soap of the Year and Dr Who star Jodie Whittaker won Actress of the Year.

The 2018 Unmissables Awards – full winners:

• TV Moment of the Year – Bodyguard, opening scene
• Soap of the Year – Coronation Street (ITV)
• Actor of the Year – Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose, Sky Atlantic/Now TV)
• Film of the Year – Mission Impossible: Fallout
• Reality Show of the Year – Love Island (ITV2)
• Podcast of the Year – Dear Joan and Jericha (Julia Davis and Vicki Pepperdine)
• TV Binge of the Year – The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)
• Actress of the Year – Jodie Whittaker (Dr Who)
• Entertainment Show of the Year – Would I Lie to You? (BBC1)
• Album of the Year – Lily Allen, No Shame
• Drama of the Year – A Very English Scandal (BBC 1)
• TV & Radio Presenter – Dermot O’Leary
• Book of the Year – Michelle Obama, Becoming
• TV Comedy of the Year –  Derry Girls (Channel 4)
• Comedian of the Year – Romesh Ranganathan