First British Comedy Award announced

ITV2’s ancient Roman sitcom Plebs has been named best new comedy in this year’s British Comedy Awards.

The announcement was revealed on tonight’s Channel 4 show confirming the nominations for the other categories, whose winners will be announced live on December 12.

Plebs saw off competition from BBC Two’s triple-nominated Count Arthur Strong, BBC Three’s Cuckoo and Sky Arts sketch show Psychobitches.

Angela Jain, ITV’s director of digital channels, said she was ‘chuffed to bits’ by the news.

She said: ‘To be recognised by our peers like this is fantastic and in such great company is truly wonderful. Plebs was that perfect show: beautifully written and directed and hilariously realised and performed.’

Tom Rosenthal, who plays Marcus, added: ‘We are all so thrilled to have won this award, finally bringing some glory to the Roman Empire. We will celebrate in true Roman style by drinking wine and building an arch.’

Plebs is produced by RISE Films, run by brothers Sam and Teddy Leifer. Sam, who co-wrote and directed the show said: “Our parents are in a bind: They’re deeply ashamed of this filth we’ve produced. But now it’s won an award they’ll feel compelled to brag about it. Either way, Plebs will be the true legacy of the Roman Empire.’

Tom Basden, who co-wrote the show and plays Aurelius, has also been nominated in the breakthrough category of the British Comedy Awards against The Last Leg’s Adam Hills, Count Arthur Strong’s Steve Delaney and Chickens’s Johnny Sweet.

A second series of Plebs has already been commissioned.

• Click here for all the 2013 British Comedy Award nominees.

Published: 5 Dec 2013