Comedy.co.uk Awards 2013 results

For the first time, a non-scripted format was named the best show of the year. Congratulations to the Would I Lie To You? team.

Best New TV Sitcom: The Wrong Mans

The Wrong Mans. Image shows from L to R: Sam (Mathew Baynton), Phil (James Corden)

Written by stars Mathew Baynton, James Corden and Tom Basden, this deliciously-photographed comedy thriller entertained a solid couple of million viewers when BBC Two broadcast it during September and October. Its premiere attracted the channel's largest audience for a comedy programme across the whole year, so it's perhaps little surprise the chucklesome action series has picked up this award from viewers.

Other notably popular shows in this category were ITV's riotous camp comedy Vicious; Greg Davies's Man Down; Sky1's epic fantasy series Yonderland; and Count Arthur Strong, also from BBC Two.

Best Returning TV Sitcom: The IT Crowd

The IT Crowd. Image shows from L to R: Roy (Chris O'Dowd), Jen (Katherine Parkinson), Moss (Richard Ayoade), Douglas Reynholm (Matt Berry). Copyright: TalkbackThames

It may have only returned for a single special, but there's no doubt that Graham Linehan's workplace sitcom was met with a huge popular response. Clocking up just 25 episodes since its 2006 inception, the four series of the geeky Channel 4 comedy look set to go down as a modern classic. The only question is, was that really the finalé of Roy, Jen and Moss's absurd adventures?

Close behind The IT Crowd in the voting were Jack Whitehall's BBC Three school-based sitcom Bad Education and the sixth series of Lee Mack's riotous gag-packed BBC One hit Not Going Out.

Best Radio Sitcom: Cabin Pressure

Cabin Pressure. Image shows from L to R: Arthur (John Finnemore), Douglas (Roger Allam), Carolyn (Stephanie Cole), Martin (Benedict Cumberbatch). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions

Doubtless in no small part due to the immense popularity of its star Benedict Cumberbatch; way, way, way out in the lead for Best Radio Sitcom 2013 is John Finnemore's hilarious and brilliantly written airline-set comedy Cabin Pressure. Also starring Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole and Finnemore himself, it absolutely wiped the floor with the competition, cementing its success and massive popularity as one of the greatest radio comedies of modern times.

Best TV Sketch Show: Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

It's a hat-trick for quality childrens' entertainment, as CBBC's almost unimaginably successful and historically accurate sketch show, Horrible Histories, picks up the Best TV Sketch Show gong for a third year running - notably beating a number of primetime shows in the process. This also made it the most successful show in the 8 years of the Comedy.co.uk Awards, having also picked up the 2009 Editors' Award, and Comedy Of The Year in both 2010 and 2011.

Also proving very popular with voters in this category were BBC Two's It's Kevin, starring and written by cult comedy actor Kevin Eldon, and Sky Arts's refreshingly female-centric Psychobitches which has been an absolute riot of fun.

Best Radio Sketch Show: That Mitchell & Webb Sound

That Mitchell & Webb Sound. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Robert Webb. Copyright: BBC

The radio sketch show category is always rather hotly contested, and this year was no exception. However the winner was the return of David Mitchell and Robert Webb's hit Sound, more than 4 full years since its previous series.

In a very close second place was John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, making its writer and star the Comedy.co.uk Awards' most successful ever writer. As well as this sketch series, Finnemore is the brains behind radio sitcom winner Cabin Pressure, plus now a regular guest on The Now Show and The Unbelievable Truth. Oh, and he's one of the writers on That Mitchell & Webb Sound, too.

Best TV Panel Show: Would I Lie To You?

Would I Lie To You?. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack. Copyright: Zeppotron

It's another win for David Mitchell, this time alongside opposing team captain Lee Mack and host Rob Brydon as the continuingly successful parlour game Would I Lie To You? is named Best Panel Show. The game of truth and lies, which returned for its seventh series during late Spring and early Summer 2013, is packed with laugh-out-loud moments - see our guide for plenty of video clips.

Also proving very popular was factual quiz comedy QI.

Best Radio Panel Show: I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. Image shows from L to R: Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer. Copyright: BBC

For the second year running - and the fourth in the Comedy.co.uk Awards' history - the Best Radio Panel Show title goes to one of the longest-running formats around; I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. The loss of the show's original and much-loved host has not altered its success, with Jack Dee's series proving every bit as popular with listeners as the late Humphrey Lyttelton. Cryer, Brooke-Taylor, Garden and the gang will return with more fun and frolics for a 61st series later this year.

Currently enjoying its 12th series on air, David Mitchell-hosted The Unbelievable Truth came in second place.

Best TV Entertainment Show: The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines

Graham Norton's genial manner and excellent line-up of guest stars sees his popular comic chat show voted as the Best TV Entertainment Show for the third year running. Alongside a long line-up of BAFTA and British Comedy Award wins, this truly cements the popular host and radio presenter as the King of the Chat Show.

Coming in second was the first series of Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe, the acerbic look at the past week's news, entertainment and media talking points. A second series is on air now.

Best Radio Entertainment Show: Susan Calman Is Convicted

Susan Calman Is Convicted. Copyright: BBC

Top Scottish stand-up Susan Calman picks up this coveted award for her debut radio series, Susan Calman Is Convicted, in which she addresses various issues on which she has particularly strongly held views. The way she mixed stand-up comedy into these serious topics has been widely praised, and the series certainly proved memorable with the radio fans voting in our awards.

Also scoring highly in this category were topical comedy The Now Show, which broadcast three series in 2013, and the location-based stand-up show Mark Steel's In Town.

Best TV Comedy Drama: Fresh Meat

Fresh Meat. Image shows from L to R: Kingsley (Joe Thomas), Vod (Zawe Ashton), Josie (Kimberley Nixon), Howard (Greg McHugh), Oregon (Charlotte Ritchie), JP (Jack Whitehall). Copyright: Objective Productions / Lime Pictures

Yet another enduringly popular returning winner is Channel 4's hit comedy drama, Fresh Meat. Picking up the Best TV Comedy Drama title for the third year and its third series, the unviersity comedy seems to be going from strength to strength, thanks to a mix of both fantastic casting and writing.

Meanwhile, Sky1's delicious police spoof A Touch Of Cloth came a close second place, and BBC One's ratings smash Last Tango In Halifax was the year's third most popular comedy drama.

Comedy Of The Year: Would I Lie To You?

Would I Lie To You?. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack. Copyright: Zeppotron

Having already claimed the gong for Best TV Panel Show 2013, BBC One's hit parlour game Would I Lie To You? also picks up our most highly-coveted award, as the fans' best single comedy on British television or radio through the entirety of 2013. The show, in which the truths are often more bizarre than the falsifications, was the programme that the most voters selected as their highlight of the year. This is the first time a non-scripted show has claimed the title, and much of that credit must go to the brilliant banter between David Mitchell and Lee Mack.

Coming a very impressive second place was radio sitcom Cabin Pressure. By far and away the most popular radio programme of the year, it scored amazingly well even against far more high-profile TV counterparts. Well done to all at MJN Air!

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