Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa has won the Performance Of The Year Award as part of the 2020 Rose d'Or Awards.

The actor, who plays Eric Effiong in the hit Netflix series, achieved the award for "an outstanding performance in the past 12 months."

The awards explain: "Sex Education follows a socially awkward student who lives with his sex therapist mother and sets up a sex clinic at school capitalise on his intuitive talent for giving advice. The critically acclaimed series won over audiences of all ages with its inclusive storylines and refreshing approach to real life experiences. In particular, Ncuti Gatwa's performance as character Eric was hailed as a progressive triumph for onscreen LGBTQ+ representation."

Gatwa says: "What an honour to receive the Performance Of The Year Award! It's such a joy playing Eric, someone who is so fun but has real depth to him. The fact that people can see themselves in him and relate to the issues we cover in the show is really inspiring and incredibly important to me as an actor."

It was also announced today that Daisy Edgar-Jones will be awarded the first-ever Rose d'Or Emerging Talent Award for her portrayal of Marianne in Normal People, after the show became a lockdown favourite earlier this year.

Mark Rowland, chair of the 2020 judges, says: "Daisy and Ncuti's authentic character portrayals stood out for the judges and audiences alike, we are delighted to be able to recognise their outstanding performances."

The 2020 Rose d'Or Awards will be presented in a virtual ceremony hosted by Nish Kumar on Wednesday 9th December via Rosedor.com. As previously reported, Famalam, Sex Education, Two Weeks To Live, Feel Good and This Way Up are the British TV comedy series featured in the shortlists.