[1][2] After Michael Parkinson presented the inaugural ceremony at the London Palladium in December 1990, the majority of subsequent shows were presented by Jonathan Ross, staged at London Studios, and produced by Michael Hurll Television (MHTV), whose parent company is Unique Communications Group.

[1][3][4][5] Ross did not present the 2008 awards, in light of The Russell Brand Show prank calls[6] and was replaced for that year by Angus Deayton.

[11] The 2013 awards were presented at a two-hour ceremony hosted by Jonathan Ross on 12 December and shown live on Channel 4.

Produced in collaboration with Hungry Bear Media, the awards ceremony is linked to Channel 4's Stand Up to Cancer charity drive, with comedy fans being encouraged to donate in order to help accelerate life-saving research.

[27] The ceremony was hosted by comedian Tom Allen, with presenters including Matt Lucas, Jessica Hynes, Al Murray and Meera Syal.

But it could not be definitively established that Williams' involvement led to the wrong winner being announced" [italics added].

In a statement, the company said: "Pending conclusion of the investigation, broadcast of the British Comedy Awards 2007 will be postponed.

Angus Deayton replaced Jonathan Ross as the host of the British Comedy Awards.