Digital TV News

Vote opens for National Television Awards 2012

Tuesday 3 January, 2012

By Duncan Heaney

The Doctor faces Downton, Coronation Street and EastEnders continue their eternal struggle.

The National Television Awards have revealed the final list of nominees for this year’s show. The awards ceremony, which takes place on 25 January at the O2 Arena in London, counts public votes to reward the most popular dramas, soaps, comedies and celebrities of the previous year.

Drama is always one of the most hotly-contested categories and this year is no different. Doctor Who once again faces off against educational drama - and last year’s winner - Waterloo Road. Both face stiff competition from magical drama Merlin and ratings juggernaut Downton Abbey. Of course, the Doctor can always travel back in time to make sure he wins, so perhaps this is a foregone conclusion.

Matt Smith, the Doctor himself, is up for best drama performance by a male. He’s competing against fellow Whovian John Barrowman, nominated for his role in Who spin-off Torchwood, David Threlfall for his part in Shameless and Martin Clunes for the amusingly irritable Doc Martin.

The sci-fi battle continues in the best female drama performance category. Who’s Karen Gillan goes toe to toe with Torchwood’s Eve Myles in this category. However, Suranne Jones is up for highly-regarded crime drama Scott & Bailey, and Jaye Jacobs from Waterloo Road will be hoping to take them all to school by winning the award.

The options for best soap are sure to get some people in a lather. Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks are all nominated for “best serial drama”. Last year’s show was kind to Eastenders - everyone’s favourite London-based depress-a-thon romped to victory in the category - so it’ll be interesting to see if it can repeat its success.

Talent competitions and reality shows dominated the ratings last year, and these categories are sure to be closely contested. Britain’s Got Talent, Dancing on Ice, Strictly Come Dancing, and the X Factor get a taste of their own medicine by being judged in the talent show category.

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That’s just some of the awards to be given out at the ceremony. A full list of the nominees and online voting system can be found on the National Television Awards website to make your picks. If you want to have your say, there’s still time to vote, and the show itself will be broadcast on 25 January on ITV1.

Photos by flash.pro