The IT Crowd wins prestigious Rose d'Or award

Graham Linehan's comedy The IT Crowd has scooped this year's prestigious Rose d'Or for sitcom at the 48th annual Rose D'Or International Television Festival in Switzerland.

Golden Rose awards are highly sought after by broadcasters and programme makers, with shows from all around world entered each year in the hope of being named the best in their respective categories. The IT Crowd triumphed over sitcoms from Poland (Hello, Hans!), Italy (Pilots), South Africa (Stokvel), Australia (The Librarians) and Germany (The Teacher) to win the award. It also beat the other UK sitcoms nominated, these were Gavin & Stacey, The Mighty Boosh and My Family.

It was a good night all round for British television, with Peter Serafinowicz named best entertainer for his self-titled BBC2 sketch show, and other prizes going to Kombat Opera Presents, Skins and Channel 4 film Strictly Bolshoi.

The IT Crowd's success last night helps continue a long-running winning streak for British comedy at the festival. In 2004 Creature Comforts and Peep Show won, in 2005 it was Little Britain and Nighty Night and in 2006 Look Around You and Extras. Meanwhile last year the Rose D'Or for sitcom was awarded to Not Going Out. Both The IT Crowd and Not Going Out will be returning for their third series this autumn.