Ross triumphs at Sonys

Ricky Gervais has broken his award-winning streak, failing to scoop a top accolade for his radio show.

The Office creator had been nominated for the best entertainment show at the prestigious Sony Awards tonight, but was beaten to the title by Jonathan Ross.

Gervais's show on London's XFM failed to win either the runner-up prizes too - the silver award went to the Jo and Twiggy show on Nottingham's Trent FM, and the bronze was scooped by Classic FM's The Incomplete And Utter History Of Classical Music With Stephen Fry.

Ross couldn't resist a jibe at Gervais's expense when he collected the award for his Radio 2 show at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

"Obviously that one-hit wonder tag sticks around that little bit longer," he joked.

Ross also won the special 2002 award for his broadcasting achievements over the year.

At the same ceremony, Just A Minute was named as the best comedy programme.

Nicholas Parsons collected the award on behalf of the Radio 4 panel game, which is this year celebrating its 35th anniversary.

He said: "The humour of Britain is eptiomised to a great extent in Just A Minute."

The silver award was awarded to Matt Lucas and Dave Walliams's sketch show Little Britain, with the bronze going to Johnny Vegas's Night Class.

Also nominated were The Incomplete And Utter History Of Classical Music With Stephen Fry and The Mark Steel Lecture on Ludwig Van Beethoven.

Visitors to the official Sony Awards website were also asked to name their favourite comedy award winner from the past six years.

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue won the poll by a landslide, attracting 50 per cent of all votes.

Dead Ringers was next with 21 per cent, followed by Chris Morris's Blue Jam with 19 per cent, Goodness Gracious Me on six per cent and Old Harry's Game on two per cent.

New digital station BBC 7, which broadcasts seven hours of vintage comedy a day, received the Gold Station Sound Award.

Published: 8 May 2003