Who won at the Montreux Television Festival

A.�British comedian Lenny Henry beat competition from around the world to win the Golden Rose top prize at the Montreux Television Festival. The panel of international judges decided Henry's Pieces was the best comedy sketch show because of its mix of characters. The other winners included BBC's hit show The Weakest Link, hosted by Anne Robinson, which won a Silver Rose, and the BBC2 sitcom Coupling. ITV's Popstars took the variety show prize, while Channel 4 picked up two bronze awards for its Da Ali G Show and Black Books. Carlton TV's comedy The Thing About Vince starring Timothy Spall was the award for the programme with the strongest human values.

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Q.� Was Henry's award a surprise

A.� He has recently concentrated on straight acting roles, such as the headmaster in the BBC drama Hope & Glory. But Pieces, which was shown on our screens, last December has a eclectic mix of character such as The Tramp.

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Q.� Does Britain usually do well at Montreux

A.� Britain has won the top prize four times in the festival's 41-year history. Twenty-eight of the 89 programmes shortlisted for this year's awards were British. Canada and Germany each had eight nominations. British game shows have been dominating the world's programming markets since the invention of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and The Weakest Link. Other UK shows in the running were Happiness, the new series from comic Paul Whitehouse, and Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned, the unscripted comedy show. Former British winners of the Golden Rose include Monty Python and The Muppets. The last British winner was the comedy series The League of Gentlemen in 1999.

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By Katharine MacColl