Gavin & Stacey leads Comedy.co.uk Awards winners
- The public have voted Gavin & Stacey as Comedy Of The Year and Best Returning TV Sitcom in 2024
- Daddy Issues, Horrible Histories, Would I Lie To You?, Taskmaster and Big Mood also won in television categories
- Radio winners are Call Jonathan Pie, Time Of The Week, Wing It and You're Dead To Me
Results have just been announced for the Comedy.co.uk Awards 2024.
Gavin & Stacey leads the winners, picking up both the Best Returning TV Sitcom and overall Comedy Of The Year prizes. The awards, in their 19th year, are decided entirely by a public vote.
The long-running sitcom's heavily anticipated feature-length finale aired on Christmas Day and quickly became one of the most-watched television comedies in years. In the 28 days after its initial broadcast, 20.56 million viewers had seen the programme, according to BARB data.
Elsewhere, BBC Three's Daddy Issues was voted Best New TV Sitcom, whilst long-term favourites such as Taskmaster, Would I Lie To You?, You're Dead To Me and Horrible Histories kept the crowns in their respective categories.
Best Returning TV Sitcom & Comedy Of The Year: Gavin & Stacey
Creators, writers and stars, James Corden and Ruth Jones (pictured, top), say: "We are absolutely over the moon to receive these two awards. Thank you so much to everyone at Comedy.co.uk who voted for us - it means the world xx"
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, says: "Huge congratulations to the Gavin & Stacey team on scooping Best Returning TV Sitcom and Comedy Of The Year. The extraordinary reaction to the finale proved what we already knew - this show is a bona fide sitcom classic. A perfect send-off for Barry Island and Billericay's finest!"
Best New TV Sitcom: Daddy Issues
Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey star in this sitcom - currently filming its second series - about a young woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, and her newly single, struggling-to-survive but unquestioningly well-meaning man-child father.
Creator and writer of the series, Danielle Ward says: "We are absolutely delighted to win, Aimee and David are comedy powerhouses and have turned my silly scripts into something quite special. Even more exciting we got given the actual award while filming so the cast and all our brilliant crew got to touch it (I made them wear gloves, obviously)."
Of Daddy Issues' win, Jon Petrie said: "A huge congrats to Danielle Ward, Aimee Lou Wood, David Morrissey, and the brilliant Fudge Park team on their well-earned Best New TV Sitcom win! Daddy Issues was BBC Three's biggest new comedy last year, and it turns out viewers love it just as much as we do. Long may the issues continue."
Best Radio Sitcom: Call Jonathan Pie
The satirical journalist character Jonathan Pie (Tom Walker) found success online before being awarded a BBC radio sitcom in 2023, returning last year for a number of specials based around the UK and US elections.
The 2024 Comedy.co.uk Awards trophy for Call Jonathan Pie has been lost in the post, but Walker has filmed an acceptance video anyway:
Best TV Sketch Show: Horrible Histories
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children's and Education said: "Horrible Histories is a jewel in BBC Children's and Education's crown and a shining example of our public service purpose to educate and entertain our young audiences with tons of laughs and great songs along the way! It's a success story blending comedic genius and educational excellence and we're proud to win another award for the series that is not only brilliantly funny but has a real impact on young people's lives, inspiring a love of history for generations of fans. Here's to many more silly songs, laughs and gruesome facts with the Horrible gang, with Horrible Science also coming later this year!"
Co-writer and core cast member Jessica Ransom recorded the following video:
Best Radio Sketch Show: Time Of The Week
Creator Lorna Rose Treen says: "We're immensely grateful to everyone who voted for Time Of The Week for Best Sketch Show. As agreed, we will shatter the trophy with a mallet and send you all a tiny piece. Big thank you to the team: Ben Walker, Darren Smith, Julia McKenzie, Sian Clifford, Jodie Mitchell, Priya Hall, Alice Cockayne, Will Hughes, Catherine Brinkworth, Margaret Stansted-Runway, Ada Player, Aruhan Galieva, Em Prendergast, Mofé Akàndé, Sara Segovia, Will Hearle, Etta Treen and Beatrice Walker."
Treen and co-creator Jonathan Oldfield sent this acceptance video:
Producer Ben Walker, on behalf of production company DLT Entertainment, added: "Working with such a brilliant team on Time Of The Week is one of the most fun jobs I've had in years! Thanks to the listeners for taking it into their hearts (via their ears) and then voting for it with (presumably?) their thumbs."
Best TV Panel Show: Would I Lie To You?
The BBC's Head of Entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight says: "How deserving that Would I Lie To You? has been crowned the best panel show in the UK! Credit to Rob Brydon for hosting with his signature charm and wit, and of course, to David Mitchell and Lee Mack for being the ultimate team captains. Together, they bring the perfect mix of laughter, quick thinking, and unforgettable moments. A massive thank you to Zeppotron for bringing this show to life, here's to many more hilarious episodes ahead!"
Lee Mack quips: "Thanks for all the votes. It's really appreciated. Not that we do comedy for awards. We do it for money. Any chance of a cash prize? Or maybe a book token for David?"
David Mitchell adds: "Thank you to the British Comedy Guide readers for voting for us. In a darkening world, having this trophy will be both a cheerful presence and a useful weapon. Thank you for not only voting, but for keeping me safe."
Best Radio Panel Show: Wing It
A series of improvised panel games on Radio 4, producer Sam Holmes says: "A massive thanks to the fans who voted for this new, truly improvised show. Hopefully this gives confidence to production houses and commissioners all over the country that improv comedy is a horse worth betting on."
Host Alasdair Beckett-King adds: "I'm really grateful that the BCG voterati took a chance on a new show, and so pleased for the infuriatingly talented improvisors who made Wing It work."
Best TV Entertainment Show: Taskmaster
Co-hosts Greg Davies and creator Alex Horne recorded a special thank you:
Best Radio Entertainment Show: You're Dead To Me
The factual comedy series is hosted by Greg Jenner, who sent the following video.
Rhian Roberts, Commissioner of Podcasts & Formats BBC Radio 4, 3 and 4 Extra, and Head of Digital, Speech Audio, says: "I'm delighted for Greg and the team, how brilliant to win this for the fourth year in a row. You're Dead To Me is so funny and friendly in how it presents the facts - great to see it recognised with this award."
Best TV Comedy Drama: Big Mood
This comedy about a female friendship infiltrated by the complexities of a serious mental illness is written by Camilla Whitehill and stars Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West. The show will be returning to Channel 4 for a second series.
Laurence Bowen from Dancing Ledge Productions says: "We are absolutely delighted to hear that Big Mood has been voted Best TV Comedy Drama of 2024 in the Comedy.co.uk Awards! This recognition is testament to the immense talent and dedication of our incredible team both on and off screen including, writer/creator Camilla Whitehill, director Rebecca Asher, and our outstanding cast led by Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West. Thank you for this award and to our viewers for your support. We are thrilled to be bringing you more of Big Mood with Series 2!"
Julia McKenzie, Comedy Commissioner, BBC Radio 4 says: "I'm really delighted that Radio 4's Call Jonathan Pie, Time Of The Week and Wing It have won Comedy.co.uk awards. I am excited that they have made such an impact as new comedies, and I know how much time and effort went into creating them. Radio 4 is really proud to be a thriving platform for comedians and writers. Congratulations to the creators and producers and many thanks to people who voted for them."
A list of the programmes shortlisted in each category can be found on the Comedy.co.uk Awards 2024 page. All 346 comedy programmes to begin a new series or air at least one special on television or radio during the 2024 calendar year were automatically included in the initial longlist round.
Voting for the best of this year's comedy programmes will open at the start of January 2026.
For more details and for a history of the awards, see the Comedy.co.uk Awards homepage