Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls has won the Best Comedy prize at the Broadcast Awards 2019.

The results of the awards run by the TV industry trade magazine were revealed at a ceremony in central London last night hosted by Harry Hill.

The sitcom became an instant big hit when it launched in January last year. The Broadcast judges noted: "Channel 4 started 2018 with a bang thanks to Derry Girls. Lisa McGee's gang comedy, set in an all-too-real early 1990s Northern Ireland and following the escapades of four teenage girls and a 'wee English fella', was a resounding success. Reeling in an average of 3 million viewers across its six-part run, it became C4's biggest new comedy since 2012's Derek."

The judges added: "Viewers were drawn in by its authentic depiction of what everyday life was like for youngsters against a backdrop of army checkpoints and bomb threats. But the clincher was its cast of larger-than-life characters, ably led by breakout star Saoirse-Monica Jackson, with support from Kevin McAleer and Peter Campion."

The awards panel also praised the show's director, noting: "Belfast native Michael Lennox expertly shepherded the relatively inexperienced cast to deliver McGee's vision of a credibly dysfunctional city on a tight schedule and relatively small budget.

"One of his biggest challenges was striking a balance between making a show that the people of Northern Ireland would feel honestly represented them, while ensuring it remained sufficiently relatable to non-residents. Proof this was achieved came when Netflix snapped up the rights for a US launch."

The awards concluded: "'An original take on the subject, with excellent cast and characterisation', said one judge, while another hailed it a 'timely triumph'. Most importantly, all agreed it was full of laughs."

Also nominated in the category were Detectorists, Mum, Stath Lets Flats, This Country and The Windsors.

It is the latest win for Derry Girls. At the start of the week the comedy was named Best New Sitcom in the Comedy.co.uk Awards 2018.

A second series of the comedy is currently being filmed, and will be shown on Channel 4 later this year.

Other winners in the awards included Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, A Very English Scandal and Coronation Street. ITV was named Channel Of The Year. Full results