Another twist in the British Comedy Award saga

Catherine Tate may NOT have been the rightful winner of the British Comedy Award at the centre of a vote-rigging scandal after all, the show’s producers have claimed.

Independent law firm Olswang, who investigated the phone vote at the 2005 ceremony, concluded that Ant & Dec did not deserve the People’s Choice prize they were given on the night as Tate garnered more support.

Bur now production company Michael Hurll Television has criticised the report, claiming it was based on incomplete information.

Paul Pascoe, the chief executive of Michael Hurll’s parent company Unique Communications, claims that many insiders did not co-operate with the investigation and that the raw data recording the votes has still not been seen.

That meant the lengthy probe left many unanswered questions, he said.

Olswang suggested that Ant & Dec were given the prize because Robbie Williams would present an award only if he could hand it over to the Geordie duo.

But the firm failed to lay he blame at anyone’s door – a continuing uncertainty which Pascoe feels is damaging the reputation of the British Comedy Awards and the people involved

Pascoe told The Times he was frustrated that the lawyers’ report did not determine whether ‘this was a simple mix-up or deliberate and, if deliberate, what the motive was’.

‘I'm really disappointed we don't have answers. I am hoping [broadcasting regulator] Ofcom will take us a stage further."

He added that Catherine Tate winning the People’s Choice award could even have made for better television.

‘Had Robbie Williams not been willing to present an award to his other friend Catherine Tate and walked off stage, that would have simply been yet another memorable moment,’ he said.

Published: 21 May 2008