Comedy legends receive bespoke Morph awards at Slapstick Festival

Filmmaker Terry Gilliam and actor Robert Lindsay received unique awards at the close Bristol's 20th annual Slapstick Festival.

Held at Bristol Old Vic on Sunday, the pair received bespoke versions of Aardman's clay character Morph.

Journalist and broadcaster Dr Matthew Sweet hosted the event.

The Slapstick Awards were developed in 2007 as a collaboration between Slapstick Festival and Aardman Animations.

The winners are selected annually by a panel consisting of Aardman animation's directors and key festival personnel.

The award is offered to artists who have significantly contributed to the art of silent and visual comedy.

Mr Gilliam was given the Aadmann Slapstick Award for Visual Comedy in recognition of his animation, performance and scripting work with Monty Python and as the director of more than a dozen feature films.

His film repertoire includes the Time Bandits, The Fisher King, Brazil and the one which inspired the design of his Morph, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.

Mr Lindsay received the Aardman Slapstick Comedy Legend Award for his roles in TV comedy series such as My Family, Citizen Smith and Alan Bleasdale's G.B.H.

His bespoke Morph was modelled on his portrayal of Wolfie 'Power to the People' in the BBC sitcom Citizen Smith.

He also received recognition for his cameo appearances in a wide range of comedy shows, including Absolutely Fabulous, Extras, The Office and a Victoria Wood special.

Other guests at the ceremony included Samira Ahmed, Hugh Bonneville, Marcus Brigstocke, Graeme Garden, Harry Hill, Adam Hills, Robin Ince, Sylvester McCoy, Lucy Porter and Time Vine.

And some celebrities sent in voice messages, such as John Cleese, Robert de Niro, Sir Mihcael Palin and Sting.

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