Comic responds to awards incident

Johnny Vegas has confirmed that his outburst at last night’s National Television Awards was just a joke.

Viewers believed the comic was genuinely upset when cameras showed him losing his cool after Peter Kay’s Car Share was announced as best comedy.

The screen cut to him standing up and apparently yelling ‘You bastard’ at someone out of shot.

Vegas was representing Still Open All Hours, and has also appeared in Benidorm, both of which were also nominated.

After the ceremony, he tweeted: ‘Please all, my anger at the NTA's was merely a joke between @Baxter3890 and myself.

‘We vowed to have a fake barney should #SOAH [Still Open All Hours] not win. Please entrust us with a sense of humour and the magnanimous ability to be happy for the worthy winners this evening…oof'

@Baxter3890 is James Baxter, who plays Leroy in the sitcom.

Peter Kay was not present to collect his gong, having announced he was stepping away from the spotlight last month because of ‘unforeseen family circumstances’.

Co-star Sian Gibson collected the award and said: ‘Obviously I have got to say thank you so much to Mr Peter Kay.

‘He is gutted he can't be here tonight but he sends his love. He is going to be over the moon so we're going to go and phone him.’

Kay cancel his 100-date UK arena tour just days after it was announced because of the mystery situation.

Also at last night’s National Television Awards, which are chosen buy a public vote, Ant and Dec were named best presenters for the 17th time. They also won the first Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award for their Saturday Night Takeaway show.

They beat All Round To Mrs Brown's, Celebrity Juice and The Graham Norton Show to win the accolade.

David Walliams was named TV judge for his role on Britain's Got Talent.

Published: 24 Jan 2018