As does Jo Brand, Steve Coogan and more

Relatively unknown stand-up Daniel Rigby has won a Bafta award alongside the likes of Steve Coogan, Jo Brand and Harry Enfield.

The comic was named best actor for his portrayal of a young Eric Morecambe in the biographical Eric and Ernie.

Rigby’s win was largely seen as a surprise over fellow nominees Matt Smith, for Doctor Who; Jim Broadbent for Any Human Heart and Benedict Cumberbatch for Sherlock – which won best drama and best supporting actor for Martin Freeman. But his surprise victory prompted some abuse from Dr Who and Sherlock fans online.

Accepting the award he said: 'Flippin' heck, I'm absolutely gobsmacked.'

He later joked: 'I'm going to put it on the pillow next to me and talk to it like it's my partner.'

Rigby graduated from RADA in 2004, and his stage credits include Yukio Ninagawa's Hamlet for the Barbican, a version of Midsummer Night's Dream in New York and London.

Rigby started comedy in 2006, and won the Laughing Horse new act of the year competition the following year. In 2009, he made his Edinburgh debut the following year with Mothwokfantastic, which Chortle praised for its ‘strong sense of originality’. His other TV work includes roles in The Street, Ideal and spin-off series Spooks Code Nine.

In another unexpected Bafta result, Jo Brand won best female comic performance for her role in Getting On, beating favourite Miranda Hart.

She said she was 'flabbergasted' to have won, 'because over the years I have been so slagged off for my acting ability by the critics.'

Steve Coogan won the male equivalent for The Trip; Harry And Paul was named best comedy programme, and Rev was named best sitcom.

Among other winners was The Only Way Is Essex, which won the audience award; Graham Norton who took best entertainment performance for his chat show and Vicky McClure as best actress for This Is England 86.

Comedy producer and agent Peter Bennett-Jones – whose company PBJ manages Rigby. was given the special prize at the Bafta Television Awards on Sunday. He is the founder of production company Tiger Aspect, whose credits include Blackadder, the Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean and helped set up Comic Relief.

Published: 23 May 2011