Mrs Brown's Boys beats Fleabag and Derry Girls to comedy prize | National Television Awards results © BBC

Mrs Brown's Boys beats Fleabag and Derry Girls to comedy prize

National Television Awards results

Mrs Brown’s Boys was won the comedy award at last night’s National Television Awards – at the expense of Fleabag and Derry Girls.

Although Brendan O’Carroll’s sitcom is broadly dismissed by critics, winners are chosen by viewers’ vote.

The BBC One comedy also saw off fellow nominees After Life, despite Ricky Gervais’s large Twitter following, and Sex Education – both on Netflix.

But collecting his award, O’Carroll praised After Life as ‘one of the best things I've ever seen’ as Gervais smiled in the audience.

After the ceremony, Gervais tweeted a picture of the After Life cast with the caption: ‘What a f***ing bunch of losers. Congratulations to Mrs Brown’s Boys. Democracy always wins. Be nice in defeat and know that you are still the best fans in the world. Thanks to everyone who voted.’

Phoebe Waller-Bridge might not be too downcast at losing out, though, having scooped two gongs at the Golden Globes in Hollywood earlier this month, alongside a slew of top-level accolades. 

Meanwhile, Gavin & Stacey last night picked up the Impact Award for their Christmas special, which attracted a record-breaking audience of more than 18million.

Accepting the gong, co-creator Ruth Jones said: ‘It is lush and it is tidy and James Corden is so sad that he can't be here tonight.

‘I'm really sad too because he and I have been on a journey that's lasted over 15 years with Gavin & Stacey and I wish he was here to share this... 

‘The show would not have become the success it has been without the talent and support of all the people that you don't see on the screen’

‘I want to thank the BBC because it was a risk bringing this show back after 10 years... Making the Christmas special, it wasn't easy bringing everybody together, but we did it

‘James and I write the words, but this tremendous cast bring the characters to life. I have to thank the good people of Barry Island for giving us such a warm welcome every summer.’

However, some fans were disappointed she didn’t announce any more episodes of the sitcom.

Sir Michael Palin received a special recognition award, and paid tribute to ‘someone who taught me more about television than anyone else’, fellow Monty Python star Terry Jones, who died last week aged 77.

He added: ‘Anyone who knows or who has worked with Terry will have been infected by his enthusiasm.’

Several stars also paid tribute to Nicholas Parsons, including even host David Walliams who said: ‘Someone who we would have loved to have welcomed tonight is Nicholas Parsons.'

And Rob Brydon said: ‘I knew Nicholas through doing Just A Minute, quite a few years ago and he was charming, open and welcoming. I would regularly see him at different things over the years. He was never anything but delightful. He was an inspiration.’

Published: 29 Jan 2020

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