Fleabag’s hot priest Andrew Scott beats Phoebe Waller-Bridge to top theatre award 

She’s won a clutch of awards over the years for her hit show Fleabag.

But last night it was Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘hot priest’ co-star Andrew Scott who was picking up a major theatre gong.

The pair were both nominated at the prestigious Olivier Awards for different productions. 

But while Scott was named best actor for his performance in Noel Coward’s comedy Present Laughter, Miss Waller-Bridge, who was nominated for the one-woman show of Fleabag which led to the BBC TV series, did not win. 

She lost out in the best actress category to former Holby City star Sharon D Clarke.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge (left) has won a clutch of awards over the years for her hit show Fleabag. Right: Andrew Scott and Waller-Bridge at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards in 2019

Waller-Bridge’s ‘hot priest’ co-star Andrew Scott (pictured) picked up a major theatre gong at the prestigious Olivier Awards

The virtual ceremony, which aired on ITV and was hosted by Jason Manford, was scheduled for April but was postponed due to the virus.

The event was pre-recorded at the London Palladium. 

Other winners include Sir Ian McKellen, who received his seventh Olivier Award for his 80th birthday tour. 

The actor took to the stage to mark turning 80 instead of having a party as he ‘didn’t think there was anything to celebrate’. 

Lyricist Don Black was given a special award by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Duchess of Cornwall – who urged the industry to ‘remain resilient’.

But while Scott was named best actor for his performance in Noel Coward’s comedy Present Laughter, Waller-Bridge (pictured together), who was nominated for the one-woman show of Fleabag which led to the BBC TV series, did not win

It comes as Shakespeare’s Globe and the Old Vic theatre were among recent recipients of the Government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund. 

When recently asked about a plan to bring theatre back by Christmas, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden admitted that ‘very strong headwinds’ had ‘limited what we can do’.

Leopoldstadt, which was written by Sir Tom Stoppard, was named best new play while Dear Evan Hansen took the prize for best new musical.

Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell won the Sir Peter Hall best director award.

Present Laughter, which was at the Old Vic, also took a second award with best supporting actress going to Indira Varma.