Mae Martin and Joe Lycett amongst RTS winners
- Breakthrough Award: Mae Martin. Scripted Comedy: The Young Offenders
- Comedy Entertainment: The Ranganation. Popular Factual: Joe Lycett's Got Your Back
- Performance awards: Gbemisola Ikumelo, Youssef Kerkour, Big Narstie and Mo Gilligan
The winners of the Royal Television Society Awards 2021 have been revealed. The comedy-related winners are:
Breakthrough Award
Mae Martin for Feel Good.
The judges said: "The winner is clearly a star in the making, bringing a fresh perspective and real originality to the screen."
Writer - Comedy
Mae Martin and Joe Hampson for Feel Good.
The judges commented, "This writing was engaging, warm and truthful, but also landed the humour with real skill."
The other nominees were Peter Foott for The Young Offenders and the Ghosts writing team.
Scripted Comedy
"Authentic, absurd and hilarious," said the judges of this show.
Brassic and Sex Education was also nominated in this category.
Comedy Entertainment
The judges remarked of Romesh Ranganathan's winning show, "It's genuinely funny, laugh-out loud event - the perfect showcase for the huge talent of its star."
The other nominees were The Big Narstie Show and Charlie Brooker's Antiviral Wipe.
Comedy Performance (Female)
The judges said of the winning performance, "She's supremely entertaining...she just has funny bones. When she's on screen you simply can't take your eyes off her."
The other nominees were Ruth Jones for Gavin & Stacey and Sophie Willan for Alma's Not Normal.
Comedy Performance (Male)
Youssef Kerkour for Home
"He has an amazing presence" said the judges of this performer. "His was a truly impactful performance."
The other nominees were Paul Chahidi for This Country and O-T Fagbenle for Maxxx.
Entertainment Performance
Big Narstie and Mo Gilligan for The Big Narstie Show
The judges said, "An infectious sense of fun is created. It's like a party that you want to be at."
The other nominees were Rob Beckett & Romesh Ranganathan for Rob & Romesh Vs and Yung Filly for Hot Property.
Formatted Popular Factual
The judges described the winning series as "distinctive in style yet broad in appeal, all wrapped in a highly original format."
Joe Lycett also won in the presenter category for his work on The Great British Sewing Bee. The judges noted he "showed all the qualities the audience loves to see right now: warm, approachable and kind, with tremendous enthusiasm for the subject matter."
Drama Series
The BBC comedy drama won in this category. The judges described the show as: "A fresh and exciting viewing experience, a piece of work executed with genuine creative vision."
The results, hosted by Jonathan Ross, were revealed via an online stream (Watch).
A full list of winners across all categories can be seen on the RTS website. Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You picked up three wins.
Chair of the Awards, Kenton Allen, said: "The incredible range of programming we have seen across all genres and categories in this uniquely challenging year has been exceptional and a terrific representation of the thriving and constantly innovating television industry we have in the UK. Although we were unable to celebrate as usual in person, we thank all of you for the continued support and send huge congratulations to the very well-deserved winners and nominees. We look forward to reuniting, in the flesh and dressed to impress, for the RTS Awards 2022. It will be one hell of a reunion!"