Jordan Gray up for a South Bank award

Alongside Big Boys and Derry Girls

Comic Jordan Gray and Channel 4 shows Big Boys and Derry Girls are up for the comedy accolade at this year’s South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

The prizes – now in their 27th year – have categories for every major genre of the arts, plus a breakthrough award featuring one nominee from every artform.

Leo Reich has secured the comedy slot alongside the likes of Rye Lane director Raine Allen-Miller, White Lotus star Leo Woodall and musical duo Jockstrap.

Last week, it was revealed that filming had started on the second series of Big Boys, created and written by Jack Rooke. Meanwhile, Derry Girls aired its last episode in May last year, to an audience of more than 3million. Trans comic Gray – who stripped naked on Friday Night Live in October – embarks on her first UK tour this autumn.

Winners will be announced on July 2 at a ceremony hosted by Melvyn Bragg, which will air on Sky Arts on July 5.

Bragg said: ‘As reflected in the nominations, the British arts are thriving and continue to shape our cultural landscape.’

And director of Sky Arts, Phil Edgar-Jones, added: ‘The South Bank Sky Arts Awards bring together the most incredible range of people across the arts all in one room. It’s a hotbed of creativity and testimony to the health of our vibrant arts sector and a demonstration of the power of the Arts to enrich our lives.’

The full list of nominees are:

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Hive; Sally Beamish - BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Catrin Finch (harp), BBC Proms
The Oracle – Manchester Collective & Abel Selaocoe
Gavin Higgins' Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra – The Tredegar Band with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Proms

COMEDY