British Comedy Awards public voting nominees announced
The nominees for the People's Choice category at the British Comedy Awards 2011 have been announced. The King/Queen of Comedy Award is the BCA category that is decided via a public poll - with the act getting the most votes awarded the title.
The nominees list was determined via The British Comedy Academy, a group comprised of previous winners and a cross-section of people who work at the highest levels in UK comedy, and includes the following six names:
Miranda Hart, who won the 2010 award in January's ceremony, is in the running again this year. She goes up against Peep Show, 10 O'Clock Live and Would I Lie To You? star David Mitchell; the BBC's top entertainment host, Graham Norton; stand-up comic and Fresh Meat actor Jack Whitehall; BAFTA-winning comedian and actress Jo Brand; and panel show favourite Sarah Millican.
To vote, you should call 0901 616 4444 and then make your selection:
For David Mitchell press 1
For Graham Norton press 2
For Jack Whitehall press 3
For Jo Brand press 4
For Miranda Hart press 5
For Sarah Millican press 6
Calls will cost 36p from a BT landline, whilst calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles will cost considerably more. A maximum of 6 votes is allowed per caller, and voting is open from now until the night of the awards ceremony.
The British Comedy Awards will be on Channel 4 on Friday 16th December between 9pm and 11pm. The show will be broadcast live from Wembley's Fountain Studios, with after-show coverage provided on E4.
The show will once again be hosted by Jonathan Ross, who says: "I've tried, but I can't think of a more entertaining way to spend a winters evening then watching a room full of our best and brightest comedians get slowly drunk while they wait to see which of their rivals picks up an award. Surely that's what Christmas is all about?"
He also added: "To be hosting it again, for what feels like the 87th time, is also an honour and privilege and I will do my best, like the Batman facing a room full of Jokers, to keep things running smoothly".
17 categories make up this year's British Comedy Awards, including Best New British TV Comedy, Best Sitcom, Best Comedy Actor and Actress, Lifetime Achievement Award and Outstanding Contribution to British Comedy. The awards will be decided by the BCA Jury
Which shows and actors are nominated in each of the categories will be revealed in full during a one hour Channel 4 nominations show on 11th December at 10pm.