Not so grim up north

By Katherine MacColl

CULT TV series Cold Feet and comedienne Victoria Wood flew the flag for the North of England when they each won accolades at the recent British Comedy Awards.

ITV's Cold Feet, with its hard hitting and controversial scripts, was named best TV comedy drama, while its leading player, Ulsterman James Nesbitt, won the best comedy actor award.

The Manchester-based show, which has addressed issues such as adultery, testicular cancer and marriage break-ups, won the award for the second year running.

Meanwhile, the North's entertainment stalwart, Victoria Wood, doubled her tally of gongs in the award's 11^th year by winning the writer of the year award and her comedy, DinnerLadies, won the best comedy category.

Sue Johnson from the BBC's Royle Family won the best television actress ' again set up north and penned by Manchester's Caroline Aherne.

Even Geordie duo And and Dec won the People's Choice Award. Graham Norton was named best TV comedy personality, best comedy newcomer was won by Rob Brydon of Marion & Geoff and Sean Lock picked up best live stand-up award.

The best new TV comedy was That Peter Kay Thing, the best comedy entertainment programme was awarded to Alistair McGowan's Big Impression, and the best comedy film was judged to be East is East. Meanwhile, Leeds playwright Alan Bennett was recognised for his contribution to British comedy with a lifetime achievement award.

But, is it really funnier up north or are they just better at dishing up down-to-earth humour

Some of the TV's best drama has been set up in the north ' look no further than Auf Wiedersehn Pet or Boys from the Blackstuff. But that doesn't mean it's all soft for Southerners, does it Del Boy's Only Fools and Horses is the stuff of legends are Birds of a Feather put Chigwell on the map.

Is it a battle between Essex man and Lancashire lass Or is the secret to a successful British comedy realistic characters Is there something in Cold Feet's Adam we identify with and does Jim Royle strike a chord Perhaps humour is the only thing that crosses the boundaries Scotland's Billy Connolly and Rab C Nesbitt have been successful exports all over the world.

What do you think are the ingredients for a successful comedy Click here to air your views.