'The Office' tops Bafta winners

LONDON, April 19 (UPI) -- Ricky Gervais and "The Office" have ruled at the British TV and film industry's awards show, taking home honors for the country's top comedy.

"The Office Christmas Special" was named best sitcom, winning the award for the third consecutive year, and Gervais, the BBC One series' star, won for his performance in that episode at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards Sunday, The Times of London reported Monday.

Other winners at the Baftas were Bill Nighy from BBC One's "State of Play" for best actor and Julie Walters from BBC One's "The Wife of Bath" for best actress.

ITV1's "Coronation Street" won a Bafta for best continuing drama and Channel 4's "Buried" won for top drama series. Channel 4's "The Deal" received the award for best single drama.

Jonathan Ross and his BBC One show "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" picked up Baftas for best entertainment performance and entertainment series, respectively.