The controversial Talkback Productions programme attracted a record number of complaints and prompted Channel 4 to make an on-air apology.

But despite this it saw off competition from The Royle Family at Christmas (BBC One), Coupling (BBC Two), My Family (BBC One) and Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights (Channel 4).

The prize was part of the annual awards held by trade weekly Broadcast at Grosvenor House on London's Park Lane.

The BBC scored a hit with its Blue Planet series

The accolade came as TV watchdog the Broadcasting Standards Commission refused to uphold complaints made by two Labour MPs against the programme.

Syd Rapson and Barbara Follett claimed they were tricked into appearing on the programme.

However the show has also been nominated for best comedy production of last year at the annual South Bank Awards.

Channel 4 collected nine Broadcast awards in all, including both drama prizes, for Never Never (Best Drama Series) and Tina Takes a Break (Best Drama One-Off).

Best light entertainment programme went to Channel 4's So Graham Norton.

The night also belonged to RDF Media, which took four awards - best independent production company, best popular factual programme, for Faking It.

Its other two awards were for the interactive game show Banzai - produced for Channel 4.

Some important honours also went to the BBC.

Newsround, which provides weekday news for younger viewers, won in the best children's programme category.

And the Natural History Unit's series narrated by Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans, Blue Planet, was named best documentary series.

Quiz show The Weakest Link was the most successful international programme, while best use of new media went to Carlton's Global E-Missions, made for ITV 1.