The most prestigious awards in the British television industry – the British Academy Television Awards, sponsored by Pioneer – are presented in a star-studded ceremony at The London Palladium.

Hosted by Graham Norton, The 53rd British Academy Television Awards see Jim Broadbent take on fellow Longford actor Andy Serkis, John Simm (Life On Mars) and Michael Sheen (Kenneth Williams – Fantabulosa!) for the Actor award.

Victoria Wood (Housewife 49) battles it out against Anne-Marie Duff (The Virgin Queen), Longford actress Samantha Morton and newcomer Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre) for the highly acclaimed Actress award.

Having won jointly in the Situation Comedy category in 2005, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant this year go head-to-head in the Comedy Performance category for the same programme, Extras. They face six-time nominee Dawn French for The Vicar Of Dibley and Liz Smith, who has been nominated, for the first time in 22 years, for her role in The Royle Family – Queen Of Sheba.

For the Entertainment Performance award, 10-time nominee Paul Merton (Have I Got News For You) faces Ant and Dec, for Saturday Night Takeaway; previous Bafta Television Award winner Jonathan Ross, for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross; and Stephen Fry for QI.

Dancing On Ice is up against fellow ITV1 colleague The X Factor for the fiercely competitive Entertainment Programme award and Emmerdale, nominated for the first time in six years, takes on Coronation Street, EastEnders and Casualty for the Continuing Drama award.

Sunday 20 May
8.00-10.00pm BBC ONE