Brand takes Comedy Award

...and dedicates it to Jonathan Ross

Russell Brand has been named best live stand-up award at the British Comedy Awards, despite the row over the prank calls he and Jonathan Ross made to Andrew Sachs.

However, Brand was not present at the ceremony; nor was Ross, who normally hosts it.

Accepting his award from Adam Sandler in Los Angeles, Brand said:’I would like to dedicate this award to Jonathan Ross. There are no comedy awards without Jonathan Ross, he is the king-maker.’

Angus Deayton hosted this year's show and joked: ‘Normally at awards shows, it's the winners that can't be here but this time it's the host.’

Frank Skinner joked to Deayton, who lost his job as presenter of Have I Got News For You in 2002 after tabloid revelations about drugs and prostitutes: ‘Your suspension’s dragged on a bit.’

Ricky Gervais was named best television comedy actor for last year's Extras Christmas special, and accepted the award in video message, which showed him in bed with George Michael.

An outstanding contribution to comedy award went to producer Geoffrey Perkins, who was killed in a car accident earlier this year. His credits include Father Ted, the Catherine Tate show and the Fast Show.

The full list of winners is:

Best TV comedy: Gavin & Stacey
Best comedy entertainment programme: Harry Hill’s TV Burp
Best television comedy actor: Ricky Gervais
Best television comedy actress: Sharon Horgan
Best comedy entertainment performance: Alan Carr
Best live stand-up: Russell Brand
Outstanding contribution to comedy: Geoffrey Perkins
Best TV comedy drama: Drop Dead Gorgeous
Lifetime achievement award: Jasper Carrott
Best new British comedy: The Inbetweeners
Best male newcomer: Simon Bird
Best female newcomer: Katy Brand
Ronnie Barker Writers' Guild of Great Britain award: David Renwick