PETER Kay's Car Share has been named best comedy at the National Television Awards 2018.

The Bolton comic's show came out on top at the ITV ceremony, beating off stiff competition from Benidorm, Still Open All Hours and The Big Bang Theory.

Peter was absent from tonight's gala held at The O2, so the award was collected by co-star Sian Gibson and two of the producers.

Gibson said: "Obviously I have got to say thank you so much to Mr Peter Kay.

"He is gutted he can't be here tonight but he sends his love and he is going to be over the moon so we're going to go and phone him."

Kay announced in December that he had to cancel his first live tour in eight years due to "unforeseen family circumstances".

The TV show also won the award in 2016 for its first series.