Comedies triumph at TV awards

British comedies have scooped the board at this year's Rose d'Or Award international TV event.

On TV, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's Inside No 9 won best comedy, while Raised By Wolves was named best sitcom, despite being cancelled by Channel 4.

And on radio, Paul Sinha's History Revision won the best comedy show and the John Lloyd-hosted Museum of Curiosity, won Best Talk Show.

As previously announced, John Cleese was honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry.

In his acceptance speech, he made a plea for executives to trust performers and writers: "When Monty Python was commissioned we didn't really know what we were going to do but we were trusted. The talent has a better record than the suits so why don't they bear that in mind?

'The trouble with executives isn't that they have no idea what they are doing but that they have no idea that they have no idea.'

Cleese had previously been part of the BBC team who won a Rose d'Or Award in 1967 for Frost Over England – although Python was never honoured.

The ceremony, held at the Axica venue next to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, was hosted by Radio 4 presenter Paddy O'Connell.

Britain has won the sitcom category every year since it was established in 2004, thanks to Catastrophe (2015), Toast Of London (2014), Spy (2013), Friday Night Dinner (2012), The Inbetweeners (2010), My Family (2009), The IT Crowd (2008), Not Going Out (2007), Extras (2006), Nighty Night (2005), Peep Show (2004). There were no Rose d'Ors in 2011.

Published: 14 Sep 2016