British Comedy Awards 2014: Jack Whitehall voted 'king of comedy' for third time

Funnyman Jack Whitehall has been crowned "king of comedy" for the third year running at the British Comedy Awards.

The 26 year old scooped the publicly-voted prize ahead of nominees David Mitchell, Lee Mack, Graham Norton, Greg Davies and the potential queen of comedy, Jo Brand.

Host Jonathan Ross kicked off the show from Wembley, north-west London, with a barrage of quips.

He told the audience: "This year, comedy, like Rolf Harris' lawn, has grown and grown."

Ross claimed the venue was so awful and remote that "even the Ebola virus can't be bothered to get the Tube here" and said he was "shaking like Griff Rhys Jones opening his mansion tax bill".

He also made a reference to the Sachsgate affair.

"I'm sweating like (Jeremy) Clarkson in his last chance saloon," he joked.

"By the way, how many chances does Clarkson get?

"One unplanned prank phone call and my BBC pass stops working immediately!"

Whitehall could not be at the ceremony to collect his award as he was filming, but in a recorded message alongside his father he said: "Thank you so much to all the people that voted for me in this category.

"It means so much, especially when there were so many talented people nominated for it."

He added: "We're both very happy about this award", but his father quipped: "I'm not! I voted for Lee Mack."

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's spoof documentary Harry And Paul's Story Of The Twos, celebrating 50 years of BBC2, won two prizes - Best TV Comedy Actor for Enfield and Best Sketch Show.

Enfield used his acceptance speech to pay homage to his sidekick, saying: "Most of all I'd like to thank duckie Whitehouse, my partner for over 30 years."

Graham Norton celebrated a double win, taking home Best Comedy Entertainment Programme and Best Comedy Entertainment Personality.

He was not at the ceremony but recorded a video message after being given the prizes by actor Danny Dyer.

Lampooning his own navy and red outfit, Norton said: "I feel like I have no personality, but I have dressed funny. I look like I'm working with the Royal Mail this Christmas."

The IT Crowd's Katherine Parkinson won Best TV Comedy Actress.

She jokingly paid tribute to Lidl, which sponsored the awards, and her comedian husband.

"I really didn't expect to win so I haven't thought of anything to say other than I'd like to thank Lidl," she said. "I would also like to thank the Comedy Award Breakthrough nominee Harry Peacock.

"This is the first night out in a while when we haven't had a nappy bag between us, because he's yet to be toilet trained."

Toast Of London, co-created by Matt Berry, was awarded Best New Comedy.

Berry said: "I'm actually quite humbled because I didn't think anyone would ever watch this, so good on you and bless you."

The gong for Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist went to Nick Helm for his role in Uncle.

Would I Lie To You's Mack was crowned Best Male TV Comic, while the programme won Best Comedy Panel Show for the second year running.

Aisling Bea from 8 Out Of 10 Cats earned the title of Best Female TV Comic, while Moone Boy took Best Sitcom.

The Inbetweeners 2 earned the Best Comedy Film award and Rev was crowned Best Comedy Drama.

Modern Family was titled Best International Comedy Programme, while Carpark won Best Internet Comedy Programme.

A pair of special awards were given out on the night. The Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award went to Brendan O'Carroll for Mrs Brown's Boys and the British Comedy Academy Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Monty Python.

O'Carroll described his award as "magnificent" and told the audience he would "treasure it".

He said: "Comedy is really hard. Even simple comedy like Mrs Brown's Boys - it is simple - it's tough.

"The one thing all comedians have - and all comic writers have - is we work our asses off."

The ceremony will be screened on Channel 4.

PA