British drama and comedy triumphed at the International Emmy Awards in New York last night with UK acts taking six out of the nine top honours.

Little Britain, Gordon Ramsay and Ray Winstone were all awarded at the ceremony which recognises international television achievements, but does not include the US.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams took out the best comedy award for the third year running with their irreverent take on the underbelly of contemporary Britain while Gordon Ramsay’s irate advice on how to save ailing restaurants in Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares was given the Emmy for best non-scripted entertainment.

The BBC’s Life on Mars, the police drama which has been both a critical and commercial hit, won best drama series. It focuses on a detective played by John Simms who is transported back in time to 1973 where he must use dated police procedures to solve a serial killer mystery.

Ray Winstone was named best actor for his ITV detective drama Vincent, honoured for creating the role of Vincent Gallagher, a passionate private investigator struggling to rebuild his shattered personal life.

His daughter, Jamie, who accepted the Emmy on his behalf said: "I’m so proud of him ... he’s like highly inspirational, an amazing dad. I love him."

Maryam Hassouni, a Moroccan living in the Netherlands, won best actress for her portrayal of a Palestinian woman suspected of planning a terrorist attack in the Dutch TV production Offers.

Hosted by the comedian Graham Norton at the New York Hilton, the International Emmys also awarded the children’s and young people category to a British production, Sugar Rush, about the world of a schoolgirl lesbian.

A French made-for-television movie, Nuit Noire, which is about the involvement of French authorities in the suppression of a peaceful demonstration by Algerians in Paris took out the top prize for television movie or mini series.

The documentary award went to Hiroshima, a BBC co-production with partners in Japan and other countries, about the first use of the atomic bomb in August 1945, shown from both Japanese and American perspectives.

Stephen Spielberg was honoured in recognition of his long television career, receiving the Founders Award.

"I got my first break when I ... was 21 years old directing ‘Night Gallery’ so I owe a lot to television," he said when accepting the award.

"Television ... itself is just a piece of technology. We can’t blame it for what it broadcasts, so we certainly need to be responsible and careful about what we put into that box because what comes out the other end truly has changed the world and will continue to change the world, for better or worse.

"I’m happy to think it is changing the world for the better."

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