Fictional footnote as 'Da Vinci Code' wins book award

The Da Vinci Code has been named book of the year at the British Book Awards.

The Da Vinci Code has been named book of the year at the British Book Awards.

The novel, by the American author Dan Brown, which has attracted criticism from the Vatican but has sold more than 20 million copies, beat off competition from an eclectic list which included Bill Bryson, Bob Dylan, Michael Palin and the Whitbread Prize winner Mark Haddon.

The author was not at the ceremony in London last night but a pre-recorded acceptance speech was broadcast in which he stressed there was no truth in the story of a plot by the Catholic Church to suppress knowledge of a marriage between Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene.

Brown, who offered no apology, said he was delighted the book had stimulated debate. The ceremony, hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, will be broadcast on Channel 4 tomorrow. It will be Brown's first appearance on British television.

The actress Sheila Hancock was named author of the year for her biography of her late husband John Thaw, beating last year's winner, Alexander McCall Smith, the Booker Prize winner, Alan Hollinghurst, and Brown.

Palin saw off competition from Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's story of their round-the-world motorcycle ride to take the television and film book prize for Himalaya.

Paul Gascoigne's autobiography triumphed over books by Kelly Holmes, Matthew Pinsent and Clive Woodward in the sports category, while former US president Bill Clinton scooped the biography prize, though he did not accept in person. Ian Rankin took the crime thriller prize, with The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler triumphing in the children's category.

William Hague won the history book award for his biography of William Pitt the Younger while Susanna Clarke was named best newcomer for Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas won the literary fiction award and the best read of the year, as chosen by viewers of Channel 4's Richard and Judy book club. Martin Higgs, Waterstone's literary editor, said publicity from the club had boosted sales by 1,200 per cent.

Andrea Levy was beaten by Hari Kunzru in a new category, Arts Council England's decibel award for the black or Asian writer who made the most important contribution to the literary scene during the year.

Sir John Mortimer, creator of Rumpole of the Bailey, celebrated his 82nd birthday with a lifetime achievement award, presented by his daughter Emily.

The winners

Book of the year, The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (Corgi)

Best author, Sheila Hancock (Bloomsbury)

Best read, David Mitchell - Cloud Atlas (Sceptre)

Children's book, The Gruffalo's Child - Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler (Macmillan)

Crime thriller, Fleshmarket Close - Ian Rankin (Orion)

Biography, My Life - Bill Clinton (Hutchinson)

History book, William Pitt the Younger - William Hague (HarperCollins)

Literary fiction award, David Mitchell - Cloud Atlas (Sceptre)

TV & Film book, Himalaya - Michael Palin (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)

Sports book, Gazza: My Story - Paul Gascoigne (Headline)

Best newcomer, Susanna Clarke - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Bloomsbury)

Black or Asian writer, Hari Kunzru

Lifetime achievement award, Sir John Mortimer