Harry Hill has triumphed at the British Comedy Awards – taking two prizes from favourites Ant and Dec.

The comic won the comedy personality award, while his TV Burp show won best comedy entertainment programme.

Stephen Merchant beat Extras co-star Ricky Gervais to take the best actor prize.

But their show missed out in the best TV comedy award, losing to Peep Show.

Gervais sent a message via video from New York.

‘A British comedy award, quite a prize. Not to me, I've won American ones,’ he joked. ‘But to people in that room this is probably the highlight of their career.

‘Enjoy the night. I'm off to have dinner with Jerry Seinfeld and Ben Stiller.’

Little Britain won the award top stage show, as voted by FHM and Zoo readers.

And in probably one of the strangest awards for a comedy night, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? host Chris Tarrant was honoured with an outstanding contribution to entertainment award.

The full list of winners is:

Best TV comedy actor: Stephen Merchant (Extras)

Best TV comedy actress: Catherine Tate (The Catherine Tate Xmas Special)

Best comedy entertainment personality: Harry Hill

Best male comedy newcomer: Russell Brand

Best female comedy newcomer: Charlotte Church

Best new TV comedy: Star Stories

Best TV comedy: Peep Show

Best comedy entertainment programme: Harry Hill's TV Burp

Best international comedy show: Curb Your Enthusiasm

People's choice award: Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Best comedy film: Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Best live stand-up tour: Jimmy Carr: Gag Reflex

Best stage comedy: Little Britain

Outstanding contribution to entertainment: Chris Tarrant

Ronnie Barker writers’ award: Sacha Baron Cohen, Dan Mazer, Anthony Hines and Peter Bayhnam for Borat