Host Jonathan Ross kicked off the British Comedy Awards at Fountain Studios in north London by recapping the year's comic highlights with a series of typically risque jokes.
Referring to the ongoing Leveson inquiry into media ethics, he suggested it be renamed Would I Lie To You, after the comedy panel show.
The first award of the night was given to Channel 4 sitcom Fresh Meat, set in a student house. Writer Sam Bain, accepting the award from American actor Jeff Goldblum, joked: "We're actually rather offended to win this award. We thought we were writing a gritty drama."
Best entertainment personality award went to Graham Norton for his chat show. He accepted the award live on stage at a gig from Sarah Millican, and seemed shocked, saying: "You're kidding, no."
Miranda Hart, nominated for four awards, won best TV comedy actress. Backstage, she said she planned to "get home as quickly as possible, put the kettle on and get in my onesie" to celebrate winning the award for the second year in a row.
Kylie Minogue presented the cast of The Inbetweeners with the British Comedy Academy Outstanding Achievement Award for their success, which included releasing a film this year.
Olympics comedy Twenty Twelve won the prize for best sitcom, and the best comedy panel show award went to the recently axed Shooting Stars.
Sarah Millican said of her people's choice award for the king or queen of comedy that she was "thrilled" to receive it. Darren Boyd, from Smack The Pony, Green Wing and, most recently, for playing John Cleese in Holy Flying Circus, won the best comedy actor award.
Lifetime achievement award went to long-running topical satire show Have I Got News For You.
Check out some of the stars on the blue carpet gallery - and a full list of winners - below:
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Best New Comedy: Fresh Meat (Channel 4)
Best Comedy Entertainment Programme: Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle (BBC)
Best Sketch Show: Horrible Histories (CBBC)
Best Comedy Panel Show: Shooting Stars (BBC)
Best Sitcom: Twenty Twelve (BBC)
Best Comedy Drama: Psychoville (BBC)
Best Comedy Entertainment Personality: Graham Norton
Best Actor: Darren Boyd (Spy)
Best Actress: Miranda Hart (Miranda)
Comedy Breakthrough Artist: Dan Skinner
Best Male TV Comic: Stewart Lee
Female TV Comic: Victoria Wood
The Writer's Guild of Great Britain Award: Armando Iannucci
The British Comedy Academy Outstanding Achievement Award: The Inbetweeners
The British Comedy Academy Lifetime Achievement Award: Have I Got News For You
The Channel 4 Award for Special Contribution to Comedy: Lee Evans