As awards shortlists revealed

Sir Lenny Henry is to be honoured with an outstanding achievement award, at this year’s Edinburgh TV festival for ‘a career that has helped shape the landscape of British television and culture’.

The comedian, actor and diversity advocate said: ‘I’d like to thank the Edinburgh TV Festival and all who sail in her for this magnificent honour. I’m very humbled to receive it and will wear a kilt and go commando to celebrate. Excelsior. Big love.’

Meanwhile, the programmes shortlisted for best comedy series are: Alma’s Not Normal, Big Boys, Dinosaur, Ludwig, Mr Bigstuff  and We Are Lady Parts.

Up for best comedy actor are Anjana Vasan in We Are Lady Parts; Lucy Punch in Amandaland; Nabhaan Rizwan in Kaos; Oliver Savell in Changing Ends; Philippa Dunne in Amandaland and Sophie Willan in Alma’s Not Normal

While comic Ashley Storrie is up for best breakthrough performance for her starring role in Dinosaur.

Richard Gadd and his Baby Reindeer co-star Jessica Gunning  are up for best TV actor in a drama alongside Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer for Rivals and Stephen Graham in Adolescence.

Last One Laughing and Taskmaster are in the running for best entertainment series alongside I Kissed a Girl, The Graham Norton Show, The Piano and The Traitors.

Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan have been nominated for best entertainment presenter for Rob & Rom Vs, and will be up against Ant & Dec, Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman.

And comic Munya Chawawa is shortlisted for best presenter of a factual show for his documentary  How to Survive a Dictator: North Korea.

The full list of nominees across all genres is here.

 Nick Mohammed will host the ceremony, which takes place on Thursday August 21 at the EICC.

He said: ‘I honestly couldn’t be more thrilled and honoured to be hosting the TV Festival awards this year. I can’t promise Mr. Swallow won’t make an appearance but - frankly - given how well he went down at the Bafta Film Awards last year, surely this can’t go any worse. But good luck everyone!’

Published: 4 Jul 2025