DEL JOY!

Only Fools And Horses star David Jason was ecstatic last night after scooping the most prestigious prize in the British Comedy Awards.

Jason, lovable rogue Del Boy in the long-running hit series, won the Top Television Comedy Actor award at the star-studded ceremony at the London Weekend Television Centre.

And the nation's favourite sitcom won a second award for Funniest Comedy Moment for last year's Christmas special.

Over a third of the nation wept with laughter over the three-part comedy.

The funniest moment came when Del Boy and Rodney, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, ran from a fancy dress party dressed as Batman and Robin and saved a man from a mugging.

The episodes were a swan-song for Del Boy and Rodney, who bowed off-screen after finally making millions from the auction of an ancient watch they found.

David Jason was on a rare break, scuba-diving in the Caribbean, and missed last night's ceremony. His co-star Buster Merryfield - Uncle Albert in Only Fools and Horses - tripped and fell as he was making his way up to collect the Comedy Moment Award.

Like a true professional he brushed himself down and carried on - but was later taken to hospital as a precaution. Friends said he had a gash above his eyebrow.

Cuddly comedienne Dawn French's performance in The Vicar Of Dibley won her the Top Television Comedy Actress title.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Jonathan Ross, saw a triumph for Lily Savage...alias Paul O'Grady. His ITV show was voted Best Entertainment Programme.

Last year the award went to Chris Evans' TFI Friday show. This year Chris, who was presenting the Best Radio Show award, used the occasion to reveal that he has got divorced from his estranged wife Carol McGiffin. They married in 1991 and split a year later - and last night Chris told the astonished audience: "I've had a great year. I got divorced on Thursday."

Carol has won custody of their pet greyhound Angelina, but Chris is expected to pay maintenance for the dog.

The glitzy audience saw Cilla Black hold on to her crown as Top ITV Personality, beating off Michael Barrymore for the second year running.

Blockbusting British movie The Full Monty won Best Comedy Film.

Paul Whitehouse's hit programme The Fast Show won Best Comedy Show for the second year running, and Whitehouse himself won Top Channel 4/ BBC2 Comedy Personality.

Channel 5 was included in the nominations for the first time - and Graham Norton was named Top Television Comedy Newcomer.

Since their launch, the awards have made headlines with outspoken comics making controversial statements. In 1993 Julian Clary made an obscene remark about former Tory Chancellor Norman Lamont. In 1994, Spike Milligan called Prince Charles a "grovelling little bastard".

This year's ceremony kicked off with a string of shock gags from host Jonathan Ross.

His first joke was about singer Gary Glitter, who has been quizzed about alleged possession of child porn. Ross said: "I've seen a lot of fresh talent this year, almost as much as on Gary Glitter's hard disk."

When Cilla Black went to receive her award, he referred to the fact that he'd lost out against her and said: "I feel like Prince Charles waiting for the Queen to be bumped off."

Last night's other guests included the Big Breakfast's Denise Van Outen in a stunning backless dress, Street star Tina Hobley, who plays barmaid Sam, Caroline Aherne and comic Frank Skinner.

Pictures: ROY FISHER

WHO GOT WHAT...

TOP TELEVISION COMEDY ACTOR David Jason

TOP TELEVISION COMEDY ACTRESS Dawn French

TOP ITV PERSONALITY Cilla Black

TOP BBC1 PERSONALITY Caroline Aherne

BEST COMEDY SHOW The Fast Show

BEST COMEDY FILM The Full Monty

BEST NEW TELEVISION COMEDY Harry Hill

COCKBURNS FUNNIEST COMEDY MOMENT Only Fools And Horses

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