Channel 4's Derry Girls has won the Radio Times Comedy Champion award after an "epic battle" with the BBC's Inside No 9.
The entertainment website revealed that almost a million votes were cast in its poll, with the creators of both shows becoming involved in their respective campaigns.
Derry Girls took 50.1% of the vote (462,946 votes), with Inside No 9 pipped to the title with 49.9% (461,140 votes).
Ahead of the result, Inside No 9's co-creator Steve Pemberton tweeted: "No one deserves to lose - shall we call it a draw Girls?"
Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee replied: "We should have done that at the start. This is barbaric xx."
We should have done that at the start. This is barbaric xx https://t.co/tCOgBw4XmM
— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) July 31, 2018
After voting closed at 10:00pm on July 31, McGee tweeted: "Thank you all so much for all your votes. A truly epic battle with the fantastic Inside Number 9. I'm sure everyone needs a lie down now."
Thank you all so much for all your votes . A truly epic battle with the fantastic Inside Number 9 . I’m sure everyone needs a lie down now.
— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) July 31, 2018
The stars of Derry Girls were also on their phones thanking fans:
Thank you all, so, so much for voting for us and getting repetitive strain injury in your thumbs, you’re all amazing
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) July 31, 2018
The #DerryGirls are eternally grateful ❤️
Thank you to everyone who voted for #derrygirls we are BUZZING !!!!!!!!
— Saoirse-Monica Jackson (@SaoirseJackson) July 31, 2018
Cheers for all the votes folks, really appreciated! Xxxx
— Jamie-Lee O'Donnell (@JamieLeeOD) July 31, 2018
Nearly a hiccup with the voting but we got there thank you so much everyone! #BehindTheScenes #DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/Vj3vm04Rdf
— Dylan Llewellyn (@Djllewellyn) July 31, 2018
