Britain’s best live comedians are to be honoured at the Chortle awards tonight.

Daniel Kitson, Will Smith, Alun Cochrane, Mark Watson all lead the UK comics shortlisted for the fourth annual awards, with two nominations apiece.

New York musical comedy act The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, which visited Britain for the Edinburgh festival and a run in London, is also shortlisted for two awards.

There are also a number of other categories, such as best offstage contribution, People’s Choice and Comedians’ Comedian which do not have shortlists.

The winners will be announced at a bash in central London tonight, hosted by Channel 4 star Jimmy Carr, and published on the site later this evening.

Kitso, pictured, has already won more Chortles than anyone else, with five to his name. Ross Noble is next with four – although he is not up for any tonight; the result, perhaps, of performing mainly in Australia now,

Click here for the full list of nominees