Russell Brand wins British Comedy Award

By Mimi Turner

LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) - Russell Brand's controversial exit from the BBC seems to have done the comedian no lasting harm -- the showman was voted best live standup act at the British Comedy Awards Friday night.

Brand, who quit his BBC radio show after he and TV anchor Jonathan Ross broadcast lewd phone messages to "Fawlty Towers" actor Andrew Sachs, dedicated his award to Ross, whom he described as "the king-maker."

Brand, who is filming in LA, sent a video message of himself accepting the award from Adam Sandler.

Other winners at the Comedy Awards, which were broadcast live on ITV, included Ricky Gervais, who was named best television comedy actor. In a filmed acceptance speech showing Gervais sitting in bed in his pyjamas alongside singer George Michael, the "Extras" and "The Office" star told the audience, "I can't be bothered to be there in person. This is beneath me to be honest: I've won real awards, Golden Globes and Emmys."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter