The Stage

Little Britain takes big prizes at British Comedy Awards

Published Friday 16 December 2005 at 12:15 by Emily Dugan

Little Britain writers Matt Lucas and David Williams took the top awards at the British Comedy Awards, beating rival Ricky Gervais’ Extras.

While Extras was given a record five nominations, Gervais’ co-star Ashley Jensen was the only member of the team to be recognised on the night. Matt Lucas and David Williams were awarded the inaugural Ronnie Barker Writer of The Year Award, and the sought after Best Television Comedy.

Meanwhile, the Best Television Comedy Actor and Actress categories both had surprise winners. Jensen was hardly known when she auditioned for a part in Extras a year ago but she managed to scoop two awards for her work as bit-part actor Maggie in the series.

Chris Langham, who beat Gervais, Lucas and Williams to the Best Television Comedy Actor prize, had a inauspicious start in the business. Sacked from Not The Nine O’Clock news after just one series, he suffered several years of alcohol and drug addiction before finally getting recognition this year for his work in the highly successful BBC comedies Help and The Thick Of It.

The full list of winners is:

Best Television Comedy Actor: Chris Langham - The Thick Of It and Help.

Best Television Comedy Actress: Ashley Jensen - Extras.

Best Comedy Entertainment Personality: Paul O’Grady - Paul O’Grady Show.

Best Comedy Newcomer: Ashley Jensen - Extras.

Britain’s Best New Television Comedy of 2005: The Thick Of It.

Best Television Comedy of 2005: Little Britain.

Best Comedy Drama: Shameless.

Best Comedy Entertainment Programme: The X Factor.

Best International Comedy Television Show: The Simpsons.

Ronnie Barker Writer Of The Year Award: Matt Lucas and David Williams - Little Britain.

The People’s Choice Award: Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

Outstanding Contribution To Comedy Award: Victoria Wood and Julie Walters.

Best Comedy Film: Festival.