UK shows dominate awards

British comedy shows have been acknowledged as the best in the world.

Four out of the five programmes shortlisted for best comedy in a major international award show are from the UK.

Coupling, The Office, The Sketch Show and Smack The Pony are all in the running for the prestigious Banff Rockie Award.

The only other show in the running is Frasier, which has picked up the accolade three times before.

Britain dominates all categories of the awards - with 31 nominations against America's 24.

Other British shows in with a shout in other sections include The Blue Planet, The Human Face with John Cleese and Shackleton.

The awards are announced at the television festival in the American Rockies town of Banff in June.

For a full list of nominees, visit the official website

At the same event, Cleese will pick up the Sir Peter Ustinov award for his life-long contribution to comedy.

Published: 16 Apr 2002