Miranda is big winner at comedy ceremony

MIRANDA Hart was the big winner at Saturday night’s British Comedy Awards, walking away with three awards.  Her starring role in the BBC2 comedy drama Miranda was highly recognised in the ceremony at the 02 Arena. 

LAUGHING: Miranda Hart was the star winner, picking up three gongs

Presented by Jonathan Ross, who took the ‘Ricky Gervais’ approach in roasting many celebrities in his hosting duties, it was Hart who was laughing all the way to the bank.  She won Best Female Comedy Actress, Best New TV Comedy Show and the big award of the night, the People’s Choice Award.  She also hinted that Miranda might follow Gavin & Stacey in switching to the mainstream BBC1 service for the next series.

Best Female TV Comic went to Jo Brand, whilst Best Male TV Comic ended up in the hands of the very popular Michael McIntyre, who wasn’t present at the ceremony.  He was doing auditions for the next series of Britain’s Got Talent, and when Amanda Holden presented him with the award, he looked very flustered, which is a rarity for him.

OUTSTANDING: Russell Brand's contribution to comedy

Harry Hill was again a big winner, scooping the Best Comedy Entertainment Personality and Russell Brand, another comedian who couldn’t make the glitzy show won the Outstanding Contribution to Comedy Award.  Brand was meant to make his first public appearance alongside Ross for the first time since the ‘Sachsgate’ scandal of 2008, but pulled out for personal reasons at the last minute, as a close friend had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.  He still took time to poke fun out of the presenter; “I’ve managed to find a way of how to destroy BBC I-Player, as if I haven’t done enough already to that great institution.  Jonathan, you are a father figure, what were you thinking!”

Others winners included the panel show Would I Lie to You, which won Comedy Panel Show and talented Liverpool comedian John Bishop, who collected the prize of Best Male Comedy Breakthrough Artist.  All in all, it was a very successful night at the British Comedy Awards, which lacked the controversy which some may have anticipated in the lead up to the event.  British comedy still remains at its peak and this time around, it was Miranda Hart who was the prized winner overall.