Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse will be fighting Britain’s corner in the Banff international TV awards in June.

Both Extras and Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry And Paul have been shortlisted for the best comedy programme at the ceremony.

The category is an even three-way battle between the UK, American and Australia.

The US nominees are The Big Bang Theory and Desperate Housewives, both shown on Channel 4 in Britain; while Australia is represented by Summer Heights High, the school mockumentary recently acquired by BBC Three, and satirical stunt show The Chaser's War on Everything.

Veteran BBC comedy producer Jon Plowman unveiled 100 nominees in 22 categories in London on Thursday. Britain leads the shortlist with 35 nominations, followed by the US with 22.

Plowman - whose production credits include Absolutely Fabulous, The Office and The League Of Gentlemen - will receive the lifetime achievement award.

The awards are given out in the Rocky mountain resort of Banff, Canada, on June 9.