...and so does QI

Mrs Brown's Boys has been named best sitcom at the National Television Awards tonight.

Brendan O'Carroll’s comedy beat fellow nominees Benidorm, Absolutely Fabulous and The Big Bang theory to the prize, which is voted by viewers.

He thanked the BBC executives who commissioned him for having ‘ the courage to carry it through’ and the public, saying: ‘All of you at home, you've no idea but you've changed all of our lives, thank you so much.’

Earlier in the week, he told of how the character helped him when he became suicidally depressed because of the debt he was in.

The NTA award follows on from the show’s success at the Baftas.

Also at tonight’s ceremony, QI was named best comedy panel show

Collecting the award, Alan Davies said: ‘This is quite a big surprise for us because we've been doing the show for the ten years. I think they must have added up all the votes for the last ten years and we've cashed them in tonight –  so we're really pleased.’

Jack Whitehall presented the award – despite the Daily Mail insisting his booking was on the line because of the furore it tried to stir up over the Big Fat Quiz Of The Year.

Published: 23 Jan 2013