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Sara Pascoe has been nominated for a major arts award.

The comic is shortlisted for the Times/South Bank Breakthrough Award, which selects rising stars from various disciplines of the arts.

Pascoe landed the comedy category, with Times critic Alex Hardy praising her 'tremendously exciting voice: timely, intelligent and buzzing with comedic charm'.

The reviewer added: 'With enough quirky facts for an episode of QI and rafts of daft punchlines, the show [Sara Pascoe vs History] became a sell-out on her debut tour. She'll also explore female sexuality in her first book, Animal, out next year.

'She's hilarious in W1A, frequently stands out on top-end panel shows, is working on her own comedy-drama and around the election will appear on programmes alongside Rory Bremner and Frankie Boyle. Pascoe has something to say and a thoroughly engaging way of saying it.'

Pascoe is up against The Musketeers star Luke Pasqualino, composer Luke Bedford, visual artist James Capper, operatic tenor Nicky Spence, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, star of the 18th Century costume drama film Belle, ballet dancer Francesca Hayward, and pop musician Julie Ann Campbell, who records as LoneLady.

Last year the Times/South Bank Breakthrough Award was won by Nick Helm, while Bridget Christie's A Bic For Her took home the comedy award..

This year's prize is presented on June 7 and based on reader votes. Click here to have a say.

Nominated in the separate comedy category this year are Doll & Em, W1A and The Trip to Italy.

Published: 4 May 2015