The book was the surprise hit of last year, shifting a record-breaking 600,000 copies in its first two months of release. Sales are now approaching one million.

The Bolton funnyman had also been nominated in the Book of the Year category.

But that went instead to The Dangerous Book For Boys by brothers Conn and Hal Iggulden, a children’s how-to guide extolling such old-fashioned pastimes as playing conkers and climbing trees.

The 18th annual awards - known as the "Nibbies" - were hosted by presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan from London’s Grosvenor House.

Professional atheist Professor Richard Dawkins was named Author of the Year for The God Delusion, his attack on religious faith.

England star Steve Gerrard won Sports Book of the Year for Gerrard: My Autobiography.

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger was named TV and Film Book of the Year after it was turned into a Hollywood hit starring Meryl Streep.

Ricky plans Extras exit - Mar 20 2007
Ricky Gervais has decided not to make a third series of his hit comedy show Extras, it’s been revealed.

The comedian will bow out as acting extra Andy Millman with an Office-style one-off special, penned by him and writing partner Stephen Merchant.

"Ricky and Stephen are writing one more episode of Extras and that will be it," a spokesman for Ricky said.

"There is no storyline or cast yet, and things are in their very early stages."

The first two series of BBC2 show Extras featured celebrity cameos from the likes of Orlando Bloom, Kate Winslet and Ben Stiller. It’s not known who might appear in the final episode.

Ricky recently said a third series was unlikely.

His next project will be an ITV series based on his best-selling children’s book, Flanimals.

The joke’s on Ricky - Mar 1 2007
Ricky Gervais has revealed the secret of his successful stand-up routine - being the butt of his own jokes.

The Emmy-award winning actor and writer is currently touring the country with his latest one-man show Fame, but he insists he would never let his own celebrity go to his head.

"I’m always the one getting the raw deal and being outwitted. I’m not going out there as a winner," he says of the show. "I’ve got to be the butt of all the jokes. Any comedy has got to come back to the performer’s own inadequacies.

"I’ve never understood why a comedian would come on and say ’Aren’t I clever?’ That feeling that you’re better than an audience is ridiculous in a comedian."

The 45-year-old also confirmed that after two acclaimed series, Extras may have run its course now.

"I think it’s the end. I feel we’ve done everything we can with it. I won’t definitively say never again, like we did with The Office. But I can’t see another series at the moment."

Gervais defends himself after joke - Jan 17 2007
Comedian Ricky Gervais has defended himself after making a joke about the killing of prostitutes just weeks after five were found dead in Suffolk.

The award-winning comic, who is on tour with his live show Fame, recounted a story at his first venue in Glasgow about a time he was asked for his advice on becoming famous.

"Go out and kill a prostitute," was his advice, he told the audience, before adding: "I won’t do this bit in Ipswich."

Jim Duell, the father of 19-year-old Tania Nicol, who was one of the five victims of the Ipswich red-light killings, criticised the comedian’s remarks.