Gervais scoops 8th Bafta
At the US British Comedy Awards
Ricky Gervais has become the first person to win eight Baftas, after scooping a new award in Los Angeles for Extras.The Daniel Radcliffe episode was named the best British TV comedy in the US version of the British Comedy Awards given out by Bafta/LA.
Gervais’s co-star Ashley Jensen was at the event to accept the award on behalf of Gervais, who is on location filming This Side Of The Truth.
Gavin & Stacey, The IT Crowd and Little Britain had also been shortlisted for the award.
Harry Hill was named best British comedy performer in television for TV Burp, while Simon Pegg won the same award for film. Hot Fuzz, in which he stars, received the film award.
Pegg, who flew in especially for the event, said of American versus British humour: ‘There's much made of the supposed difference between us, but we all find the same things funny, I think.’
Billy Connolly picked up the lifetime achievement award for comedy.
Others who attended the bash at LA’s Four Seasons Hotel included Lucy Davis, Paula Abdul, Joss Stone, Cat Deeley, and Ashley Jensen.
Producer Nigel Lythgoe said: ‘There were a lot of laughs, and we are already looking forward to next year, and having this event become an annual affair that will introduce American audiences to both established and upcoming UK talent.’
Published: 3 May 2008
