"The BBC have encouraged my foray into drama but I have always felt that my love of comedy meant that I would return to it.

Lenny Henry in Pieces was the star's first BBC One comedy show for seven years

"This is my first comedy show in seven years - what a way to come back.

"There are many, many black creators and performers in the UK who are excluded for some reason and if seeing me up here inspires them, that will be a very good thing indeed.

"This is for everyone who worked on the show - and for my wife, who thinks I am downstairs in the office."

Anne Robinson's quiz show the Weakest Link won a Silver Rose in the gameshow category.

'Confidence'

The ITV show Popstars, which created the pop group Hear'Say, also won a Silver Rose for London Weekend Television.

The sitcom Silver Rose was won by Hartswood Films, for the BBC, for Coupling, starring Jack Davenport and Sarah Alexander.

Lenny confirms his position as one of Britain's leading entertainers

Alan Yentob

BBC director of drama, entertainment and children's shows, Alan Yentob, said: "This is an incredible result across the board for the BBC, demonstrating the breath and confidence of our programming.

"Coupling is one of the sharpest comedies of recent years, the international success of The Weakest Link speaks for itself and Lenny confirms his position as one of Britain's leading entertainers."

'Human values'

The first ever e-Rose for entertainment on the internet was awarded to Taxi Orange, an Austrian website.

Channel 4 picked up two Bronze Rose awards for Ali G in the comedy section and Black Books in the sitcom section.

Carlton Television won the Unda Prize for drama serial The Thing About Vince, starring Timothy Spall, which was praised for its strong human values.

Perfect couple: Jack Davenport and Sarah Alexander

The Silver Rose for comedy was won by German show Micromania.

In the music category Canadian company Rhombus Media won the Silver for Giovanni Unmasked.

France's G2 Films was awarded a musical Bronze with Baden Powell: Velho Amigo.

Israeli gameshow The Vault, from Keshnet Broadcasting and Menta Productions, won a Bronze Rose in its category.

The Silver Rose is the first prize and Bronze Rose second prize in five categories.

La Rose d'Or, or Golden Rose, is decided by the Grand Jury and awarded to the best entertainment programme from the winners of the categories.

The category from which the Golden Rose is chosen then promotes the bronze winner to silver, and the runner-up to bronze.