Ant and Dec: Rewarded for past success

Ricky Gervais' creation The Office won best comedy for BBC Two, but failed to pick up a best actor award for the comedian.

And the station's hit drama Perfect Strangers picked up two awards - for best serial and best writer award, accepted by creator Stephen Poliakoff.

Mr Poliakoff's drama, which centres on a family reunion, has also been shortlisted for three awards in this year's Bafta ceremony.

Stand-up

"I think it's great that a piece of drama like this can win and with the Bafta nominations it's been a good night all round," said Mr Poliakoff.

Johnny Vegas's success has come after years spent on the stand-up circuit.

The rotund northern comic said: "The nominations showed a fat bloke getting out of bed and I truly didn't think I was going to win.

Diane Parish: An award for Babyfather

"I guess, because I am not an actor, I am one of those who will do all the stuff no trained actor will do and they think, 'Let's get him now before he gets any pride'."

After a long acceptance speech Mr Vegas offered to stay on stage and help comp�re Graham Norton host the rest of the night.

Other BBC Two winners included arts programme Arena, natural history documentary Congo and a best actress award for Diane Parish in Babyfather.

BBC One's successes included Alistair McGowan, who picked up an award for the best entertainment performance for his Big Impression comedy show, and David Suchet who took best actor for costume drama The Way We Live Now.

Ricky Gervais: Best comedy, but no best actor award

EastEnders beat Doctors and Hollyoaks to win the soap opera award - though the category short-list was criticised for leaving out Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Channel 4 won five awards, including an entertainment gong for off-the-wall betting show Banzai.

ITV's three awards included one for Ant and Dec's performance on SM:tv Live - a programme the duo have since left.

The awards ceremony was held at London's Grosvenor House hotel on Tuesday evening.