Doctor and Sherlock in awards fight

Matt Smith, star of Doctor Who, is nominated for an NTA
8 January 2013

Doctor Who and Sherlock will go head to head for two prizes at the National Television Awards this month.

The shows - both created by writer and producer Steven Moffatt - will challenge for best drama, while stars Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch are in the running for best male actor.

Doctor Who is up for a third award as former assistant Karen Gillan, who bowed out as Amy Pond last year, is nominated for the best actress prize.

She competes against comedy star Miranda Hart for her role in Call The Midwife, Suranne Jones for Scott And Bailey and Sheridan Smith for Mrs Biggs.

Sherlock and Doctor Who line up against ITV's period hit Downton Abbey for the best drama prize, with the category completed by recently-axed fantasy series Merlin.

Colin Morgan, the star of Merlin which wound up last month, is also up for best actor along with Cumberbatch who plays Sherlock Holmes in the updated take on the Conan Doyle mysteries, Smith for his role as the Doctor and Daniel Mays for his performance as Ronnie Biggs in Mrs Biggs.

BBC One singing contest The Voice joins established ratings heavyweights Britain's Got Talent, Dancing On Ice, Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor in the top talent show shortlist. The Great British Bake-Off makes its debut on the NTA shortlist as it lines up against The Apprentice, Top Gear and Paul O'Grady's For The Love Of Dogs for the best factual entertainment prize.

Ant and Dec, who have won the best entertainment prize for 11 consecutive years, could extend their run as they are shortlisted for the title yet again. They will do battle with Alan Carr, Keith Lemon and Dermot O'Leary.

And the Geordie duo are up for a further prize as their show I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! is nominated for the entertainment programme award, against Alan Carr: Chatty Man, The Graham Norton Show and The Only Way Is Essex.

Prizes will be handed out at a star-studded ceremony at London's O2 Arena on January 23. Viewers will be able to vote for the winners of the awards from today.

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