Comedy fans name 'Would I Lie To You?' best show of 2013
The results of the Comedy.co.uk Awards 2013 have been announced, with Would I Lie To You?, the BBC One panel show starring Rob Brydon, Lee Mack and David Mitchell, named the best comedy of the year by fans of UK comedy.
Now in their eighth year, British Comedy Guide's annual awards are determined purely via a public vote - no jury is involved. Uniquely, there is no shortlist either, with every new British comedy broadcast on TV and radio during the year automatically nominated.
This time, 346 different comedy titles were eligible across the 11 key award categories - totalling more than 1,100 hours of new comedy programming through 2013.
Below is a list of the TV and radio shows that were voted best in their category:
Best New TV Sitcom
The Wrong Mans
Best Returning TV Sitcom
The IT Crowd
Best Radio Sitcom
Cabin Pressure
Best TV Sketch Show
Horrible Histories
Best Radio Sketch Show
That Mitchell & Webb Sound
Best TV Panel Show
Would I Lie To You?
Best Radio Panel Show
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
Best TV Entertainment Show
The Graham Norton Show
Best Radio Entertainment Show
Susan Calman Is Convicted
Best TV Comedy Drama
Fresh Meat
Comedy Of The Year 2013
Would I Lie To You?
Cabin Pressure (pictured), John Finnemore's Radio 4 sitcom co-starring Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch was the most popular radio show of the year.
Meanwhile, voters selected Ben Elton's sitcom flop The Wright Way as the worst comedy of 2013.
BCG Editors' Award this time goes to the ITV network, for a renewed faith in scripted British comedy programming, particularly on their flagship channel, with sitcoms such as Vicious.
British Comedy Guide's editors say: "Once again, ordinary comedy fans came in their droves to cast votes in the annual Comedy.co.uk Awards, giving a clear indication as to the state of the broadcast comedy industry in Britain.
"This robust set of results paints a very positive, healthy picture of British comedy on both television and radio, with a range of programmes delighting audiences young and old alike. From the comical suspense of The Wrong Mans to the humour-laden drama of Fresh Meat and the outrageous parlour game fun of Would I Lie To You?, a vibrant range of programmes has been on offer, proving popular with ordinary members of the public. Critics may wish to note that, for the second year running, 8 of our 11 winners are recorded with a live studio audience.
"The exciting offerings of 2013 may have been and gone, but there appear to be plenty more on the horizon for 2014, and we look forward to seeing the public reaction to them next January."
For more details on the awards, including the runners up and the least popular comedies, visit the Comedy.co.uk Awards 2013 page