Russell Brand has dedicated his British Comedy Award to Jonathan Ross - who pulled out of hosting the show after the pair's lewd phone calls to Andrew Sachs.

Neither star was at the award ceremony in London but Brand sent a video message to accept the gong.

Brand, who won Best Live Stand-Up Performer of 2008 to huge cheers, said: "There are no comedy awards without Jonathan. He was the king maker."

He was accompanied by Hollywood star Adam Sandler and raised huge laughter when he asked him if he would like to do a radio show. "I'm very good on the wireless," he said. "It's where I come to life."

Ross, 47, was meant to be hosting the awards for the 17th year and pocketing an estimated £100,000 to do so.

But he pulled out in the wake of the prank calls to Andrew Sachs scandal and Angus Deayton fronted the show, joined by stars including Eva Mendes and Alec Baldwin.

Speaking about the complaints about Brand's Radio 2 show, Deayton talked about the "30,000 self-righteous t**ts who never heard the programme in the first place".

Ross's show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross lost out in the Best Comedy Entertainment Programme 2008 section to Harry Hill's TV Burp.

Ricky Gervais won Best TV Comedy Actor 2008, beating Peep Show's David Mitchell and Gavin and Stacey writer and actor James Corden.

Gervais gave his acceptance speech via a video in which he was dressed in pyjamas and sharing a bed with George Michael.

Gervais said: "I can't be bothered to be here there in person... it's beneath me, to be honest."

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