Who's Hugh's date? It's Mrs Bonneville! Downton Abbey star shows off his fun side in shades as he's joined by wife Lulu at the TV BAFTA Awards

He was nominated for Best Male Performance in a comedy programme for his role in W1A.

And Hugh Bonneville, 52, was all smiles as he arrived at the 2016 BAFTA Television Awards at London's Royal Festival Hall with his wife Lulu Williams on Sunday.

The Downton Abbey star cut a dapper figure in a traditional black suit with a bow tie and posed in the glorious sunshine for photos with his partner, the two of them at one point sporting very similar sunglasses to fend off the blazing sunshine.

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Loved-up: Hugh Bonneville, 52, was all smiles in sunglasses as he arrived at the 2016 BAFTA Television Awards at London's Royal Festival Hall with his wife Lulu Williams on Sunday

The pair put on a close display as they each stood with an arm around the other, and they even co-ordinated by wearing matching shades for their sun-soaked arrival.

Lulu wore a vibrant orange dress, with a billowing lower section perfect for the hot conditions. There was yet more colour in her ensemble in the form of a Neapolitan clutch.

Her blonde tresses were styled in a bob, and she accessorised with some dangly earrings. Completing the ensemble were a pair of silver and black heels for that final touch of glamour.

See BAFTA TV Awards as Hugh Bonneville puts on a cosy display with his wife Lulu

Matching: Lulu wore a vibrant orange dress, with a billowing lower section perfect for the hot conditions. There was yet more colour in her ensemble in the form of a Neapolitan clutch

Bright spark: While Lulu no doubt caught everybody's eye, the night was all about Hugh, who was nominated for his role in comedy show W1A - however, he missed out to Peter Kay for his Car Share programme

Hugh plays Ian Fletcher, the head of the fictional BBC's Head of Values, in the hit comedy series named after the postcode of the BBC offices.

The show was a follow-up to Twenty Twelve, a mockumentary about the organisation of the Olympic Games.

It saw Hugh’s character reprise his role, which requires him to ‘clarify, define, or re-define the core purpose of the BBC’ as the 2016 Charter Renewal grows close.

Too bright? Hugh grimaced as he took off his shades on the very sunny red carpet

Embracing the weather: The big and small screen star didn't seem keen to get rid of his sunglasses 

Written by John Morton, the four-part drama opened with an hour-long episode, before being followed by three 30-minute shows.

The star certainly faced stiff competition in the category, competing against Toby Jones, (Detectorists), Peter Kay (Peter Kay's Car Share) and Javone Prince (The Javone Prince Show) - he later lost out to Peter Kay.

The actor, who shot to international fame in 2010 playing Robert, Earl of Grantham, in the BBC period drama, Downton Abbey, is currently starring in stage play An Enemy Of The People.

Gimme shelter: Hugh looked a little hot and bothered as his wife laughed

Good spirits: He pulled faces as the cameras snapped away

Career high: Hugh plays Ian Fletcher, the head of the fictional BBC's Head of Values, in the hit comedy series W1A, named after the postcode of the BBC offices

He plays a character who goes to the press with a story about bacteria-ridden baths and the threat it poses to a small unnamed town.

Joining Hugh is the production is his former Downton co-star Michael Fox, who played footman Andy Parker in the ITV period drama.

The new production marks Hugh's return to the Chichester stage after an 18 year absence, having previously starred in The Handyman. 

Let me take a selfie! Once inside Hugh and his wife couldn't resist a snap with Mary Berry who was seated behind them

Say cheese! The couple flashed huge smiles as the Great British Bake Off star leaned in for the photo