Top Gear looms large in 2016 National Television Awards nominations

It’s Top Gear versus Gogglebox at the 2016 National Television Awards – in what could be a last hurrah for Jeremy Clarkson as the star of the BBC Two series.

Sacked from the popular motoring show following an infamous fracas with his producer, Jeremy is currently preparing to relaunch his career on Amazon Prime alongside fellow ex-Top Gear hosts James May and Richard Hammond.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond (Ellis O'Brien/BBC)

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

 

However, the trio’s contribution to the BBC Two show has been recognised with a nomination in the Factual Entertainment category alongside Channel 4's 2014 winner, Googlebox.

The 2016 National Television Awards will once again be hosted by Dermot O’Leary, himself a contender in the TV Presenter category. The star-studded ceremony takes place on Wednesday, January 20 and will be broadcast live on ITV.

Dermot O'Leary at the National Television Awards

Dermot O’Leary at the National Television Awards (Ian West/PA)

 

Among the new features shaping the ceremony will be TV Moment of the Year. Viewers can nominate their favourite TV moment of the year so far until December at nationaltvawards.com/tv-moment. The best moments will be revealed live at the January event.

There are also four new categories for voters to consider. The explosion of streaming channels is reflected in a brand new International category, which sees the likes of Amazon Prime’s Transparent and Netflix duo Orange Is The New Black and House Of Cards take on Channel 5′s Gotham and the BBC’s Family Guy.

Popular animation series Family Guy

Family Guy (BBC)

 

Also making its debut is the New Drama category. Among a plethora of shows, contenders range from BBC One’s 18th century drama Poldark to the broadcaster’s chronicle of a disintegrating marriage in Doctor Foster and Channel 4's futuristic Humans.

Live Magazine Show sees nominations for shows reflecting everyday issues whether they’re broadcast in the morning, afternoon or evening. Look out for the likes of BBC Breakfast and The One Show alongside ITV’s Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women.

For the first time, presenters of factual shows are pitted against those from entertainment in the TV Presenter category.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby (ITV)

 

In addition, the category will also see some of TV’s favourite pairings facing up against each other – This Morning’s Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will do battle and BBC One’s Pointless host Alexander Armstrong takes on his sparring partner Richard Osman.

The scenario even extends to real-life spouses as Vernon Kay squares up to wife Tess Daly and Rochelle Humes faces her husband, Marvin.

An interesting clash comes in the Challenge Show category where Bear Grylls goes up against himself in ITV’s Mission Survive and Channel 4′s The Island. However, he faces stiff competition from BBC One’s The Great British Bake Off, The Apprentice and MasterChef.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7SBOkOdHnk&feature=oembed

 

Much-loved comedian Peter Kay is also up against himself as he’s nominated for BBC One’s Car Share and BBC Two’s Cradle To Grave in the Comedy category.

The National Television Awards will celebrate its 21st birthday in 2016. Fans can cast votes here and also book seats for one of TV’s biggest nights of the year.

 

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