'The Office' and Graham Norton scoop British Comedy Awards

Ricky Gervais and Graham Norton were celebrating last night after their television shows won four prizes at the British Comedy Awards.

Gervais, best known as slimy, self-deluded manager David Brent in BBC2's The Office, was named best comedy actor. The series itself, which last year won a newcomer prize, triumphed in the best TV comedy category.

Meanwhile, Norton consolidated his status as the new king of light entertainment by receiving top awards for the third time in as many years. His Channel 4 chat show V Graham Norton won him gongs for both best entertainment personality and best entertainment programme. Other previous finalists had reason to celebrate, too. Kathy Burke won best comedy actress for her role in the BBC sitcom Gimme Gimme Gimme.

Although Phoenix Nights, the Channel 4 series about a northern working men's club, lost out in the best TV comedy category, its creator, stand-up comic Peter Kay, was named best writer.

The award for best new TV comedy, a shoo-in for The Office last year, went to The Kumars at Number 42, while Bend It Like Beckham, the movie about a female football team, won best comedy film.

While the awards were largely dominated by new and rising stars, there was some consolation for the old-timers. Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, the series about a motley group of bricklayers which was greeted by rave reviews when it returned to TV after a 16-year absence, beat previous winner Cold Feet in the comedy-drama slot.

The lifetime achievement award went to Michael Palin, in recognition of the popularity of his comic writing and work with the Monty Python team.

Among those who lost out were Martin Freeman, who, as lovelorn senior sales manager Tim, provides a lone voice of reason in The Office. Both Paul Merton and Jonathan Ross failed to unseat Norton in the entertainment personality slot.