Comics up for Press Guild awards

The nominations – drawn up by journalists who write about the media - were announced today, with comedy shows, writers and performers featuring in a number of categories.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have been shortlisted in the best writer category for the Extras Christmas special, which is also in the running for the comedy/entertainment prize.

Others in this section are Armstrong & Miller, Gavin & Stacey and Strictly Come Dancing – all BBC shows.

Gervais and Merchant are the only comedy talents on the writing shortlist, which also features dramatists Heidi Thomas, Tony Marchant and Stephen Poliakoff.

Stephen Fry and Harry Hill are up for best non-acting performer/presenter, where they face competition from Andrew Marr, Ross Kemp and Jeremy Clarkson.

Fry’s film HIV And Me is also in the running for best single documentary, against Dispatches: China's Stolen Children and Malcolm & Barbara: Love's Farewell – about the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease.

The News Quiz is up for radio programme of the year, against the Adam and Joe Show on 6Music, Radio 4 religious show Beyond Belief and Radio 1’s Chris Moyles Show.

The winners will be announced at the Theatre Royal on London's Drury Lane, on April 4.

Published: 28 Feb 2008