British Comedy Awards

The British Comedy Awards is an annual awards ceremony in the United Kingdom celebrating notable comedians and entertainment performances of the previous year. The awards began in 1990, and are usually shown live on ITV1 (a result of which being the over-run and subsequent cut-off of the 2005 and 2006 Outstanding Achievement Award winners' speeches).

With a potent mix of comedians and alcohol, the ceremony is often a riotous affair. Past ceremonies have seen the host's in-podium autocue monitor ripped out by award-winner Michael Barrymore, and award-presenter Julian Clary joke that he'd "just been fisting Norman Lamont" (the joke caused great controversy and nearly ended Clary's career). In 1994 Spike Milligan called long-time fan Prince Charles a "grovelling little bastard" on hearing his citation for Spike's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ceremonies

1990 - London Palladium, hosted by Michael Parkinson
1991 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1992 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1993 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1994 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1995 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1996 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1997 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1998 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
1999 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
2000 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
2001 - hosted by Jonathan Ross
2002 - London Studios, hosted by Jonathan Ross
2003 - London Studios, hosted by Jonathan Ross
2004 - London Studios, hosted by Jonathan Ross
2005 - London Studios, hosted by Jonathan Ross

Previous Winners

1990

Top live stand up: Victoria Wood
Top British TV comedy: A Bit Of A Do
Top ITV/C4 sitcom: A Bit Of A Do
Top BBC sitcom: Only Fools and Horses
Best new TV comedy: Drop The Dead Donkey
Top US sitcom: Cheers
Top TV comedy actor: David Jason
Top TV comedy actress: Jean Boht
Top entertainment performer: Rowan Atkinson
Best TV comedy newcomer: Pauline Quirke
Lifetime achievement award: Ronnie Barker
Lifetime achievement award for stage: Norman Wisdom
Lifetime achievement award for radio: Roy Hudd
Lifetime achievement award for film comedy: Peter Rogers (Carry On films producer)
Top variety act: Russ Abbott
Best stage comedy newcomer: Mike Doyle
Top British film actor: Griff Rhys Jones
Top British film actress: Pauline Collins
Top comedy film: Shirley Valentine
Top radio comedy: Victor Lewis-Smith
Top comedy writer: David Nobbs

1991

Best TV Entertainment presenter: Clive Anderson (Whose Line Is It Anyway)
Best ITV/C4 sitcom: Drop The Dead Donkey
Best entertainment series: Alas Smith and Jones
Best new TV comedy: Have I Got News For You
Best TV comedy actor: Richard Wilson (One Foot In The Grave)
Best TV comedy actress: Patricia Routledge
Top TV comedy newcomer: Angus Deayton
Top entertainment presenter: Clive Anderson
Top British entertainment performers: Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones
Top variety perfromers: Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer
Top comedy writer John Sullivan
Best comedy film: Home Alone
Lifetime achievement award: Beryl Reid
International lifetime achievement: George Burns
Best radio comedy: On The Hour/The Million Pound Radio Show
Top radio comedy personality: Phil Holden
Top stage newcomer: Jack Dee
Top comedy club performer: Jeremy Hardy

1992

Top TV comedy personality: Paul Merton Top variety performer: Les Dawson Best sitcom: One Foot In The Grave Best new TV comedy: Bottom Best ITV comedy: Men Behaving Badly Best BBC sitcom: One Foot In The Grave Best C4 sitcom: Desmonds Best TV comedy drama: Murder Most Horrid Best C4 personality: Chris Evans Best TV comedy actor: David Jason (Darling Buds of May) Best TV comedy actress: Stephanie Cole (Waiting For God.) Best TV comedy newcomer: Alan Cumming (Bernard and the Genie) Top comedy writer: David Renwick Best comedy film: Hear My Song Lifetime Achievement: Eric Sykes Top comedy club performer: Jo Brand

1993

Top C4 entertainment presenter: Chris Evans Best radio comedy: Knowing Me, Knowing You Best comedy writer: Richard Curtis Lifetime achievement award: Ken Dodd Top variety entertainer: Ken Dodd Best entertainment series: Barrymore Best comedy actor: Rik Mayall (Rik Mayall Presents) Best comedy actress: Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) Best BBC sitcom: One Foot In The Grave Best ITV sitcom: Watching Best C4 sitcom: Drop The Dead Donkey Best TV comedy drama: The Snapper Top TV personality: Joanna Lumley Top female performer: Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French Best TV new comedy: Absolutely Fabulous Top TV comedy newcomer: Steve Coogan Best comedy film: Groundhog Day Top stand-up: Eddie Izzard

1994

Best TV comedy series: Drop The Dead Donkey Best new TV comedy: Knowing Me, Knowing You Best BBC comedy series: Red Dwarf Best C4 comedy: Drop The Dead Donkey Best ITV comedy: Time After Time Best comedy series: Murder Most Horrid Best comedy drama: Outside Edge Best TV comedy actor: Stephen Tompkinson (Drop The Dead Donkey) Top TV comedy actress: Brenda Blethyn (Outside Edge). Best TV comedy newcomer: Chris Morris (The Day Today) Best male TV performer: Steve Coogan (Knowing Me, Knowing You) Top female comedy performer: Tracey Ullman (Tracey Ullman Takes On New York) Best ITV entertainment presenter: Michael Barrymore Best BBC entertainment presenter: Noel Edmonds Best Channel 4 entertainement presenter: Chris Evans (Don't Forget Your Toothbrush) Top theatre variety performer: Billy Pearce Best comedy film: Four Weddings And A Funeral Top comedy writer: Jack Rosenthal Best radio comedy: A Look Back To The Future Lifetime achievement: Spike Milligan, June Whitfield Best live stand-up: Phil Kay Special award: Armando Iannucci

1995

Top TV comedy newcomer: Ardal O'Hanlon (Father Ted) Best new TV comedy: Father Ted Top female comedy performer: Victoria Wood Top male comedy performers: John Bird and John Fortune Best radio comedy: I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue Top TV comedy actor: Martin Clunes (Men Behaving Badly) Top TV comedy actress: Caroline Quentin (Men Behaving Badly) Best BBC comedy series: One Foot In The Grave Best ITV entertainment presenter: Michael Barrymore Best BBC entertainment presenter: Noel Edmonds Best Channel 4 entertainment presenter: Chris Evans Lifetime achievement award for variety: Bruce Forsyth Lifetime achievement award for comedy: Bob Monkhouse Top TV personality: Jack Dee Best ITV sitcom: Is It Legal? Best BBC sitcom: One Foot In The Grave Best Channel 4 sitcom: Drop The Dead Donkey Best comedy drama: Preston Front Best radio comedy:I'm Sorrt I Have't A Clue Best stand-up comic: Jo Brand Best comedy show: Rory Bremner Who Else Best entertainment series: Don't Forget Your Toothbrush. Best comedy film: Bullets Over Broadway Top comedy writers: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin Award for comedy: Peter Cook

1996

Lifetime achievement award: Dave Allen Top TV comedy actor: Dermot Morgan (Father Ted) Top TV comedy actress: Pauline McLynn (Father Ted) Best comedy series: The Fast Show Best BBC sitcom: One Foot In The Grave Best ITV sitcom: The 10%ers Top ITV entertainment presenter: Cilla Black Top BBC1 entertainment presenter: Ruby Wax Top C4/BBC2 entertainment presenter: Chris Evans (TFI Friday) Best children's comedy: Woof! Top female comedy performer: Caroline Aherne (Mrs Merton) Best comedy film: Babe Best radio comedy: People Like Us Best comedy drama: Outside Edge Best entertainment series: TFI Friday Top male comedy performer: Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show) International comedy: Frasier Top TV newcomer: James Dreyfus (The Thin Blue Line) Best stand-up: Eddie Izzard Best new TV comedy: Thin Blue Line Top TV comedy personalities: Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer Best comedy newcomer: James Dreyfus Top comedy writer: Johnny Speight

1997

Best C4 sitcom: Father Ted Top BBC1 personalty: Caroline Aherne Top ITV personality: Cilla Black Top BBC2/C4 personality: Paul Whitehouse Best new comedy series: Knowing Me, Knowing You Best TV comedy actor: David Jason (Only Fools and Horses) Best TV comedy actress: Dawn French (Vicar of Dibley) People's Choice Award: Only Fools and Horses Top comedy newcomer: Graham Norton Lifetime achievement award: Stanley Baxter Writers' Guild lifetime achievement award: Ray Galton and Alan Simpson Best comedy show: The Fast Show Best comedy film: The Full Monty Best new TV comedy: Harry Hill Cockburn's funniest comedy moment: Only Fools And Horses Top stand-up comic: Jack Dee Best international comedy: The Larry Sanders show. Best BBC sitcom: One Foot In The Grave Christmas Special Best ITV sitcom: Faith In The Future Best Channel 4 sitcom: Father Ted Christmas Special Best BBC comedy drama: The Missing Postman Best ITV comedy drama: Cold Feet Best children's comedy: My Dad's A Boring Nerd Best entertainment programme: An Evening With Lily Savage

1998

Best TV sitcom: I'm Alan Partridge Best comedy series: Goodness Gracious Me Best new TV comedy: The Royle Family Best TV comedy actor: Steve Coogan (I'm Alan Partridge) Best TV comedy actress: Emma Chambers (Vicar Of Dibley) Top TV comedy newcomer: Dylan Moran (How Do You Want Me) Best light entertainment series: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Top BBC1 comedy personality: Harry Enfield Top BBC2 personality: Steve Coogan Top ITV personality: Michael Barrymore Best stand-up comedian: Tommy Tiernan Best children's comedy: Sooty & Co Best television comedy drama: Underworld Best comedy film: Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels Lifetime achievement award For comedy: Thora Hird Writers' Guild of Great Britain lifetime achievement: Denis Norden and (posthumously) Frank Muir People's Choice: One Foot In The Grave Best radio comedy: Old Harry's Game

1999

Best TV comedy actor: Ricky Tomlinson (The Royle Family). Best TV comedy actress: Caroline Aherne (The Royle Family, Mrs Merton & Malcolm). Best comedy entertainment personality: Paul Merton Best live stand-up: Bill Bailey Best male comedy newcomer: Sacha Baron Cohen (The 11 O'Clock Show). Best female comedy newcomer: Jessica Stevenson (Spaced, The Royle Family). Best new TV comedy: Dinnerladies . Best 'broken comedy': Big Train Best comedy gameshow: Have I Got News For You Best comedy talkshow: So Graham Norton Best TV sitcom: The Royle Family . Best TV comedy-drama: Cold Feet Best comedy film: Notting Hill. Best international comedy show: The Larry Sanders Show Best comedy entertainment programme: Comic Relief Best radio comedy: The Sunday Format Writer of yhe year: Richard Curtis. Lifetime achievement awards: Barry Humphries, The Two Ronnies.

2000

Best live comic: Sean Lock Lifetime achievement: Alan Bennett Best TV comedy: Dinnerladies. Writer of the year: Victoria Wood Best TV comedy-drama: Cold Feet Best TV comedy actor: James Nesbitt (Cold Feet) Best TV comedy actress: Sue Johnston (The Royle Family) Best TV comedy personality: Graham Norton Best TV comedy newcomer: Rob Brydon (Marion and Geoff) Best new TV comedy: That Peter Kay Thing Best comedy entertainment programme: Alistair McGowan's Big Impression Best comedy film: East Is East Best International TV show: The Simpsons People's Choice: SM:tv Live Best Of British: The Vicar Of Dibley

2001

Best television comedy actor: Rob Brydon (Human Remains). Nominated: James Nesbitt (Cold Feet), John Thomson (Cold Feet). Best television comedy actress: Jessica Stevenson (Spaced 2/ Bob and Rose/ The Royle Family). Nominated: Hermione Norris (Cold Feet), Lesley Sharp (Bob and Rose). Best comedy entertainment personality: Frank Skinner. Nominated: Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross Best comedy newcomer: Johnny Vegas (Happiness). Nominated: Mackenzie Crook (TV To Go / The Office), Lee Mack (The Sketch Show). Best new TV comedy: The Office. Nominated: Human Remains, The Sketch Show. Best TV comedy: One Foot In The Grave. Nominated: Coupling, The Office Best TV comedy drama: Bob and Rose. Nominated: Cold Feet, Happiness Best comedy entertainment programme: So Graham Norton. Nominated: Have I Got News For You, The Frank Skinner Show Best international comedy TV show: Seinfeld. Nominated: Frasier, Sex And The City. Best radio comedy: Dead Ringers. Nominated: The Jonathan Ross Show, The Sunday Format Best live stand-up: Victoria Wood. Nominated: Bill Bailey, Harry Hill. Comedy film award: Best In Show. Nominated: Bridget Jones's Diary, Shrek. The lifetime achievement award: David Jason. Writer of the Year Award: Russell T Davies. The AOL People's Choice Award: Cold Feet (Voted by viewing audience)

2002

Best Comedy Actor: Ricky Gervais (The Office).
Nominated: Martin Freeman (The Office), Peter Kay (Phoenix Nights),
Best Comedy Actress: Kathy Burke (Gimme Gimme Gimme).
Nominated: Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous), Ronni Ancona (Alistair McGowan's Big Impression)
Best Comedy Entertainment Personality: Graham Norton.
Nominated: Jonathan Ross, Paul Merton
Best Comedy Newcomer: Kris Marshall (My Family).
Nominated: Dave Spikey (Phoenix Nights), Kris * Marshall (My Family), Leigh Francis (Bo Selecta)
Best New TV Comedy: The Kumars at No 42.
Nominated: 2DTV, The Book Group,
Best TV Comedy: The Office.
Nominated: Black Books, Phoenix Nights.
Best Comedy Drama: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
Nominated: Cold Feet, The Book Group
Best Comedy Entertainment Programme: V Graham Norton
Nominated: Have I Got News For You, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here,
Best International Comedy Show: Six Feet Under.
Nominated: The Simpsons, Sex And The City,
Best Comedy Film: Bend It Like Beckham.
Nominated: Amelie, Legally Blonde
Writer Of The Year: Peter Kay
Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Palin.

2003

Best comedy actor: Steve Coogan
Best comedy actress: Ronni Ancona
Best entertainment personality: Ant and Dec
Comedy Newcomer: David Walliams (Little Britain)
Best new TV comedy: My New Best Friend
Best TV comedy: Coupling,
Best comedy drama: Cold Feet
Best comedy entertainment programme: Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
International comedy show: Malcolm In The Middle
Best comedy film: Calendar Girls
People's Choice: Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
Lifetime achievement: Jimmy Perry and David Croft

2004

Best TV comedy: Little Britain.
Nominated: The Office, Nighty Night
Best new TV comedy: Doc Martin.
Nominated: Life Begins, Nighty Night
People's Choice: Little Britain.
Best comedy entertainment personality: Ant and Dec.
Nominated: Jonathan Ross and Paul Merton.
Best comedy entertainment programme: Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
Nominated: Have I Got News For You? and I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
Best TV comedy drama: Doc Martin.
Nominated: Jonathan Creek and Shameless
Best comedy actor: Matt Lucas and David Walliams.
Nominated: Ricky Gervais, Martin Clunes.
Best TV comedy actress: Caroline Quentin.
Nominated: Julia Davis and Catherine Tate.
Best comedy newcomer: Catherine Tate.
Nominated: James McAvoy (Shameless), Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh)
Best international comedy show: The Simpsons.
Nominated: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Sex And The City, The Simpsons
Best comedy film: School Of Rock
Nominated: Shaun Of The Dead, Shrek 2
Outstanding achievement: Matt Groening, French and Saunders

2005

TV Comedy: Little Britain
Nominated: Extras, The Catherine Tate Show
Best New TV Comedy: The Thick Of It
Nominated: Help, Extras
TV Comedy Actor: Chris Langham
Nominated: Ricky Gervais, David Walliams and Matt Lucas,
Best TV Comedy Actress: Ashley Jensen
Nominated: Catherine Tate, Tamsin Greig
Best Newcomer: Ashley Jensen
Nominated: Chris Addison, David Mitchell
Best International Show: The Simpsons,
Nominated: Kath & Kim, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Best Entertainment Programme: The X Factor, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Nominated: Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Best Comedy Drama: Shameless
Nominated: Christmas Lights, Not Only But Always
Best Comedy Entertainment Personality: Paul O’Grady
Nominated: Ant and Dec, Jonathan Ross
Best Comedy Film: Festival
Nominated: Sideways, The Incredibles
Ronnie Barker Writers Of The Year: Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Outstanding achievement: Julie Walters and Victoria Wood
People's Choice: Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway

External links

List of all previous winners