Ross returns as host of comedy awards show

Published on Tuesday 13 October 2009 22:05

JONATHAN Ross is to return as host of the British Comedy Awards, ITV confirmed yesterday.

The presenter pulled out last year following the Andrew Sachs phone calls row.

He was replaced by Angus Deayton last year, and ITV have now officially confirmed reports that "Wossy" is making a comeback.

Ross said: "I'm delighted – it's the most prestigious awards show in the world. Obama may have a Nobel Prize, but he's not even in the running for Best Entertainment personality. It's that prestigious."

The ceremony is celebrating its 20th year, and it will be broadcast in December.

A row erupted last year after Ross and Russell Brand made lewd prank calls to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs, for Brand's BBC radio show.

This month, the watchdog Ofcom imposed fines totalling 80,000 over a scandal that led to Ant and Dec being wrongly given a prize at the British Comedy Awards.

The regulator imposed the penalty on Channel TV – which was supposed to ensure the programme met broadcasting rules when it aired on ITV1 – for what it called "extremely serious" breaches.

The incidents that led to the fines included Ant and Dec being given the People's Choice Award in 2005, despite being beaten in the voting by Catherine Tate.

Ofcom said the Geordie duo may have been chosen simply to ensure Robbie Williams would agree to appear on the show.

ITV's director of entertainment and comedy Elaine Bedell said of Ross's return: "The British Comedy Awards has become one of television's most talked-about annual events, and hosting it has to be one of television's toughest gigs.

"I'm very glad Jonathan is back at the helm."