KATE WINSLET, MICKEY ROURKE and the late HEATH LEDGER stole the show at the 2009 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday.

Just a year after the ceremony was reduced to a press conference because of the Hollywood writer's strike, it returned with a bang and a star-studded red-carpet bearing the likes of BRAD PITT, ANGELINA JOLIE, and TOM CRUISE.

Inside the ceremony, English rose Kate Winslet was rendered speechless by two wins; Best Actress for her role in Revolutionary Road and the Best Supporting Actress award for movie The Reader.

When she stepped onstage for the second time, the British star told the crowd, "I'm so sorry. Is this really happening?", before paying tribute to her agents, husband SAM MENDES and Revolutionary Road co-star LEONARDO DiCAPRIO.

Heath's posthumous win for his performance as the Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight inspired a heartfelt acceptance speech from director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN and a standing ovation from the audience, led by Tom Cruise.

The honour comes just 11 days before the first anniversary of Ledger's death from an accidental drug overdose at his New York apartment.

There was more emotion at the end of the night when Rourke was named Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, for his role in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler. It marks an extraordinary comeback for a man whose career was written off years ago. And he dedicated the prize to his many canine companions, past and present, telling the audience, "It's been a very long road back for me. Several years ago I was almost out of this business. I'd like to thank all my dogs. Sometimes when a man's alone his dogs are all he's got."

Winslet wasn't the only British winner on a night dominated by actors, actresses and movies from the UK.

SALLY HAWKINS won the Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical award for her role in Happy-Go-Lucky, while TOM WILKINSON won Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for John Adams.

The British made and Indian-based Slumdog Millionaire trumped a number of big budget blockbusters to win four prizes; Best Motion Picture, Drama, Best Director prize for Brit Danny Boyle, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score.

Comedy hit 30 Rock scored big in the TV categories, earning acting prizes for ALEC BALDWIN and TINA FEY and the Best TV Comedy award.

STEVEN SPEILBERG was treated to a montage of his career achievements and a speech by fellow director MARTIN SCORSESE; and then a standing ovation from the crowd as he accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment field.

There were also acting gongs handed to COLIN FARRELL, LAURA DERN, LAURA LINNEY, PAUL GIAMATTI and GABRIEL BYRNE.

For the Winners in Pictures click here

For the Best Dressed @ The Globes click here

For the Worst Dressed @ The Globes click here

For the Cutest Red Carpet Couples click here


For Golden Boys on the red carpet click here.