Extras co-creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are to go head-to-head for the best comedy actor accolade at the British Comedy Awards.

But while they have been nominated separately, David Mitchell and Robert Webb of Peep Show, have been shortlisted together in the same category.

Both Extras and Peep Show are also up for best comedy, alongside The Thick of It.

And for the first time in several years, the awards will honour live comedy, with nominees including Al Murray, Ross Noble, Robin Ince and Jimmy Carr.

The full list of nominees is:

Best comedy

Extras
Peep Show
The Thick of It

Best comedy actor

Ricky Gervais
Stephen Merchant
David Mitchell and Robert Webb

Best comedy actress

Catherine Tate
Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd)
Tamsin Greig (Green Wing)

Best comedy entertainment personality

Ant and Dec
Harry Hill
Paul Merton

Best comedy entertainment programme

Ant & Dec Christmas Takeaway
Harry Hill’s TV Burp
Have I Got News for You

Best male comedy newcomer

Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins
Russell Brand
Kevin Bishop (Star Stories)

Best female comedy newcomer

Katherine Parkinson
Charlotte Church
Miranda Hart (Hyperdrive)

Best new TV comedy

Star Stories (Channel 4)
Suburban Shootout (Five/Paramount Comedy)
That Mitchell and Webb Look (BBC Two)

Best international comedy

The Office: An American Workplace
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Everybody Hates Chris

Best live stand-up tour

Al Murray: …And Another Thing
Jimmy Carr: Gag Reflex
Lee Evans: XL
Lee Mack
Ross Noble: Fizzy Logic
Russell Brand: Shame

Best stage comedy

Little Britain Live
Robin Ince's Book Club
The League of Gentlemen Are Behind You
The Mighty Boosh
The Two Faces of Mitchell and Webb

Best comedy film

Confetti
Little Miss Sunshine
Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit

People’s choice award

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
Extras
8 Out of 10 Cats
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross
Green Wing
Little Britain
Northern Lights
That Mitchell & Webb Look

The awards will be presented in London on December 13, in a show hosted by Jonathan Ross and airing live on ITV1.