Shortlist revealed for the 0 National Television Awards

Shortlist revealed for the 20th National Television Awards

The votes are in, the viewers have spoken and as the shortlist for the 20th National Television Awards is revealed, the final round of voting opens.

Presented by Dermot O'Leary, the National Television Awards will host the biggest stars of Britain's best-loved shows at The O2 London on Wednesday 21st January 2015, live on ITV. This year, more votes than ever before have been cast and the shortlist reveals which shows and stars the public want to see collecting a prize on the night.

In the Drama Performance category, it's detective versus Dowager as Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch and Downton Abbey's Maggie Smith vie for top place. But can they take Sarah Lancashire, whose tough and tender performance in Happy Valley stunned audiences, or the enormously popular Sheridan Smith, for her acclaimed turn in Cilla?

In Serial Drama Performance, the first couple of the Queen Vic go head-to-head Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright have had an amazing year in Albert Square, but don't rule out the competition: Donna's emotional return to Emmerdale was superbly played by Verity Rushworth, while in Hollyoaks Nikki Sanderson's domestic-abuse storyline gripped the fans.

Who is Britain's favourite TV Judge? We need a judge as wise, witty and bold as all of our nominees put together to make that call: star makers Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini are up against star baker Mary Berry. There's nothing soggy bottomed about that line-up

In Drama, international hits Downton Abbey, Sherlock and Doctor Who will be slugging it out for the prize or could the plucky young newcomer Cilla take them unawares?

A brand new award sees some of the nation's favourite shows come head to head: The Great British Bake Off, The Apprentice, Masterchef and Come Dine With Me are all up for the Skills Challenge award. Has Lord Sugar sweet-talked his way into the nation's hearts? Or will Mel and Sue's saucy double entendres have us standing to attention?

In the Factual category, Gogglebox and Long Lost Family might look like underdogs facing four-time winner Top Gear, but like Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs they will be gunning for best in show'.

Ant & Dec rarely leave The O2 empty-handed but it's never over till it's over, and in the Entertainment Programme category, their Saturday Night Takeaway has some serious competition in the shape of Through the Keyhole, Celebrity Big Brother and I'm a Celebrity (which is actually one of their shows too). And as for the Entertainment Presenter award, just because Ant and Dec have won it thirteen times in a row, it doesn't mean this won't be the year that Bradley Walsh, Keith Lemon or NTA host Dermot O'Leary snatches it from their grasp at last.

Fittingly for the Talent Show category, rivalry is FIERCE. Has The X Factor got the X factor? Will Strictly Come Dancing waltz away with the prize? Is it time for the The Voice UK to be heard, or has Britain's Got Talent got the skills to win?

In the Comedy category, Mrs Brown's Boys has one of d'biggest audiences in d'country but it's taking on the rowdy ex-pat sun-worshippers of Benidorm, the close-knit family of Outnumbered fans and the army of brainiacs who muse on The Big Bang Theory.

The explosion of choices and channels in the TV landscape is reflected in another new category, Multichannel where the dragon-warriors of Game of Thrones will fight the walking dead of The Walking Dead, and Keith Lemon's Celebrity Juice will do innuendo battle with the party posse of Geordie Shore.

2015 NTA Categories:

Chat Show Host

Comedy

Daytime

Drama

Drama Performance

Entertainment Programme

Entertainment Presenter

Factual

Multichannel

Newcomer

Serial Drama

Serial Drama Performance

Skills Challenge Show

Talent Show

TV Judge

Notes to editors

The NTAs were created 20 years ago by Indigo Television (www.indigotelevision.co.uk) , and remain Britain's leading TV Awards Show. Many millions of votes are cast each year via post, telephone, online and app. The results are revealed live on ITV from The 02 London. Executive Producer Kim Turberville.

How to vote

The final round of voting opens on Tuesday 6th January 2015

You can vote free online at www.nationaltvawards.com or you can vote by phone call 0901 888 2015

Calls cost no more than 26p per minute from BT landlines plus no more than 16p connection charge. Calls should last no longer than seven minutes. Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles will be a lot more.

All new votes will be added to those already submitted in the first round.

The results will be revealed at the NTA ceremony LIVE on ITV from 7.30pm 21st January 2015

JOIN THE STARS: You can experience the excitement of being at The NTAs in person at The O2 London call the NTA ticket line on 0844 824 4824 or go to nationaltvawards.com/tickets

Voting closes at Midday on Wednesday 21st January 2015. Shortlist votes received outside of these times will not be counted but may still be charged if voting by phone. Phone voters need to call from a touchtone phone. Please ensure you have the bill payer's permission before calling. Multiple vote restrictions apply. See Terms and conditions at nationaltvawards.com

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/shortlist-revealed-20th-...
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