And the winners are...

British Comedy Awards handed out

Little Britain has scored a double victory at the British Comedy Awards, beating Ricky Gervais' Extras to the best TV comedy prize, and winning the first Ronnie Barker writer of the year award.

Gervais’s show had been nominated for a record five categories, but only co-star Ashley Jensen won – scooping the double of best actress and best newcomer.

Receiving her award Ashley Jensen said: 'I'm a wee bit speechless and anyone who knows me knows that's an accomplishment.'

Earlier, Gervais told the audience: ''i'm not confident about this award show. I nearly didn't come tonight...I've got quite a bit of this plastic at home.'

And he added that it was a 'debacle' that Channel 4's Peep Show did not win anything.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams received their best show award live on stage at the Brighton centre, to deafening cheers, where they were performing their live tour.

'This year's comedy output on television is probably the strongest ever in the 16 years of the British Comedy Awards,' Executive producer Michael Hurll said.

The full list of winners is

Actor: Chris Langham (Help, The Thick of It)

Actress: Ashley Jensen (Extras)

Entertainment personality: Paul O'Grady (The Paul O'Grady Show)

Newcomer: Ashley Jensen (Extras)

New TV comedy: The Thick Of It

TV comedy: Little Britain

Ronnie Barker Writer Of The Year: Matt Lucas and David Walliams (Little Britain)

TV comedy drama: Shameless

Entertainment programme: The X Factor

International show: The Simpsons

Film: Festival