Steve Coogan picked up a prestigious award for his best-loved creation last night - and revealed Alan Partridge has not been killed off.

The Hove-based funnyman scooped the best comedy actor title at the British Comedy Awards.

He beat Martin Clunes and Rob Brydon to the honour.

The latter was nominated for his role in Marion and Geoff which was co-produced by Coogan himself.

Coogan was not at the ceremony but spoke from California via a live link-up.

As he was handed the Perspex award from an unseen person, he said: "Thanks, Clint."

He told the audience Alan Partridge had not been laid to rest, but that his head had been cryogenically frozen and would one day be connected to a "fit but sensible body like Sebastian Coe's".

Presenting the award were comedian Jack Dee, flanked by East Sussex's Transylvanian dance twins the Cheeky Girls.

I'm Alan Partridge was also nominated in two other categories in the ceremony, hosted by Jonathan Ross.

The show was pipped to the best TV comedy award by BBC Two's Coupling, dubbed the UK's answer to Friends.

Meanwhile, Felicity Montagu, who plays Alan's long-suffering PA Lynn, was shortlisted for best comedy actress.

She was beaten by impressionist Ronni Ancona to the title, although Pop Idol's Mr Nasty Simon Cowell, who presented the award, could not pronounce her name correctly.

Quick-thinking Ronni got her own back, however, as she responded: "The last time I picked something up from Simon it took a month to clear up."

Other winners included Jonathan Ross, who had hosted the ceremony for 13 years without ever claiming a trophy.

However, this year, his chat show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross was named best comedy entertainment programme.

It beat Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and Comic Relief Does Fame Academy.

He called up chums Four Poofs And A Piano, featuring Brighton entertainer David Wickenden, to share in his moment of glory.

The lifetime achievement award went to Jimmy Perry and David Croft, the writer-producer team behind TV classics such as Dad's Army, Hi-de-Hi! and It Ain't Half Hot Mum.

Other guests on the show included Brighton-based model Jordan, who presented an award with ageing lothario Leslie Phillips, and soccer host Des Lynam who lives in West Sussex.