Ricky Gervais, Steve Coogan and Peter Kay are all up for accolades in the Royal Television Society's annual awards.

They have all been shortlisted for best comedy performance in the awards, to be handed out next month.

Gervais's The Office and Kay's Phoenix Nights have also been nominated for best situation comedy/comedy-drama, alongside Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

In other categories, stand-up Jimmy Carr, right, has been nominated as best onscreen newcomer for hosting Your Face Or Mine. He faces competition for the title from Cutting It's Lucy Gaskell and Charles from the BBC Proms.

Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross and Ant and Dec are vying for the best entertainment performance award, while Pop Idol, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and animated comedy 2DTV are all in line for the best entertainment programme.

Newsreader Kirsty Young will host the awards ceremony on March 18, at the Grosvenor House Hotel.