Simpsons creator gets special British comedy award

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening received an Outstanding Contribution award at the British Comedy Awards last night, presented to him by famed cosmologist Stephen Hawking.

The Simpsons, which features Hawking in one of the cartoon shows, also won Best International Comedy Show, beating Sex and the City.

BBC show Nighty Night, the dark comedy series described as a West Country version of Fatal Attraction, was named Britain’s Best New TV Comedy over ITV1 show Doc Martin and Life Begins.

But Doc Martin, starring Martin Clunes as a doctor whose tactless manner causes mayhem in a small Cornish community, won Best Comedy Drama over Jonathan Creek (BBC1) and Shameless (Channel 4).

Catherine Tate was given Comedy Newcomer award over Shameless star James McAvoy and Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding from The Mighty Boosh (BBC3).

Jennifer Saunders received a standing ovation when she and her comedy partner, Dawn French - who was not at last night's event - received a Lifetime Achievement award.

Caroline Quentin took home Best Television Comedy Actress for ITV shows Life Begins and Von Trapped.