Jessica Stevenson plays Cheryl in The Royle Family

The show did, however, secure the the AOL People's Choice Award.

The awards also honoured actor David Jason, famous as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, who was presented with a lifetime achievement award.

Other winners included One Foot in the Grave, which beat other television newcomers to the title of best TV comedy.

Comedy drama

Cold Feet's poor showing came as a stark contrast to last year's awards.

James Nesbitt, the Northern Ireland-born actor who stars in the comedy, won best comedy actor in the 2000 awards.

Comedy Award Winners

Best comedy entertainment personality - Frank Skinner Best TV comedy actor - Rob Brydon Best comedy newcomer - Johnny Vegas Best TV comedy - One Foot In the Grave Best new TV comedy - The Office Best TV comedy actress - Jessica Stevenson Best TV comedy drama - Bob and Rose Best comedy entertainment programme - So Graham Norton Best international comedy TV show - Seinfeld Best radio comedy - Dead Ringers Best Live Stand Up - Victoria Wood Comedy Film Awards 2001 - Best In Show Lifetime Achievement Award - David Jason Writer of the Year - Russell T Davies

This year he battled against his co-star John Thomson but both lost to Rob Brydon, star of Human Remains.

Comedy drama Bob and Rose pushed Cold Feet out of the running for best TV comedy drama

The best television comedy actress award went to Jessica Stevenson, star of Channel 4's Spaced 2, Bob and Rose and The Royle Family.

Hermione Norris from Cold Feet 3 and Lesley Sharp from Bob and Rose were runners up.

Accepting his award as best comedy newcomer, Johnny Vegas said: "I should have lots of people to thank but it could be that it was all down to me and hard work."

Newcomer The Office on BBC2 won the best new television comedy award and the best international comedy show went to Seinfeld.

Victoria Wood won the best stand-up award - Bill Bailey and Harry Hill had also been nominated.