Amstell’s talent recognised by British Academy
The Best Entertainment Performer category at this year’s television BAFTAs is dominated by gay men, it has emerged.
Nominations for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts TV awards were announced yesterday.
Simon Amstell, host of the rock comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, was named as a best entertainer nominee, alongside Alan Carr, who co-hosts The Friday Night Project, and Stephen Fry for his intellectually-arousing game show QI.
It is the first time Amstell and Carr have been nominated for a BAFTA.
Amstell, who still works as a stand up comic, has made waves since becoming host of Buzzcocks in October 2006.
Carr, whose The Friday Night Project is currently in its sixth season, has been nominated with his co-star Justin Lee Collins.
The success of FNP provided the springboard for Carr to begin solo hosting duties on his own comedy variety show, Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong, which screened earlier this year on Channel 4.
QI is one of BBC4’s most popular programmes and the witty and articulate Fry has garnered a wide-ranging audience for this quirky game show.
QI has previously been nominated for four BAFTAs.
In other nominations, gay actor Antony Sher picked up a nomination for Best Actor in his role in BBC4’s TV film Primo based on Primo Levi’s account of his time in Auschwitz in his book If This Is A Man.
The film was adapted from Sher’s award-winning stage play, which unfolds through a series of monologues.
Acclaimed actress and national treasure Dame Judi Dench earned her record 24th BAFTA nod for her performance in the period drama Cranford.
This will be the 10th year in which the TV BAFTAs will be presented separately from its film counterpart.
From 1968 to 1997, the awards were awarded under one umbrella, incorporating both film and TV.
However, in a move to streamline the two ceremonies, the television BAFTAs have been presented in April or May since 1998, whereas the film awards are presented in February, to coincide with the Hollywood awards seasons, including the Oscars, Golden Globes and Screen Actors’ Guild Awards.
This year’s TV BAFTAs will be handed out on Sunday 20th April in London.
Click here for a full list of nominations.
