The League of Austen Artists: Downton Abbey takes on Doctor Who: National Television Awards nominees revealed (Mail OnLine)

By Lucy Buckland

Last updated at 1:59 AM on 2nd January 2012

On the surface they couldn't be more different, one is a period drama famous for its clothes, intrigue and sets while the other is a science fiction show involving a time travelling adventurer and a Tardis.
But both Downton Abbey and Doctor Who have captured the hearts of the nation and will now fight it out for the the title of top drama at the National Television Awards.

ITV1's saga about the Crawley family has been shortlisted for the awards for the first time and is up against Merlin and last year's winner Waterloo Road, as well as Who, for the title.

Downton Abbey: The ITV1 drama will go head to head with BBC1 hit show Doctor Who

Costume drama: Downton Abbey is not without its controversies as this series viewers complained about the lengthy advert breaks

Doctor Who stars are up for two further awards with Matt Smith, who plays The Doctor, up for best male performance, while Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) is up for the female equivalent.

However, none of the Downton stars make the running for any of the acting gongs.

Ant and Dec will be hoping to take the top entertainment presenter prize for an 11th consecutive year after being shortlisted once again. The Geordie duo line up against X Factor host Dermot O'Leary, Keith Lemon and Michael McIntyre.

Popular: Doctor Who has long been a firm family favourite, but to scoop the best drama award it needs to beat Downton Abbey

Best actor award: Doctor Who's Matt Smith and Karen Gillan are up for the prestigious award

Comedian McIntyre is up for a further prize with his Comedy Roadshow, which competes for the best entertainment programme title, along with Take Me Out, Dynamo: Magician Impossible and Harry Hill's TV Burp.

Britain's Got Talent - for which McIntyre was a panellist last year - is in the running for top talent show, alongside X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice.

Gillan, who is stepping down from her Doctor Who role during the next series, goes up against Torchwood's Eve Myles, Jaye Jacobs (Waterloo Road) and Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey) for the acting honours.

Nomination: Will Waterloo Road get top marks at the awards?

Who has the most talent? BBC show Strictly (left) takes on Dancing on Ice for best talent show

There's only one way to find out! Harry Hill's TV Burp is also nominated

And Smith faces competition from Martin Clunes (Doc Martin), John Barrowman (Torchwood) and David Threlfall (Shameless).

Voting opens today to allow viewers to have their say in the awards which will be presented by O'Leary from London's O2 Arena and broadcast by ITV1.

The shortlist for the serial drama performance features two Coronation Street stars - Katherine Kelly and Alison King - as well as Emmerdale's Danny Miller and Jessie Wallace from EastEnders.

Battle of the soap women: Coronation Street's Katherine Kelly and EastEnder's Jessie Wallace are nominated for best drama performance

Hired or fired? The Apprentice is in the running for best reality show

Competing for the top reality show prize are Come Dine With Me, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, The Apprentice and The Only Way is Essex.

Jonathan Ross goes up against Graham Norton, Alan Carr and the Loose Women team for the best talk show category.

Votes can be cast at www.nationaltvawards.com

FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS:

Talent Show:
Britain's Got Talent, Dancing on Ice, Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor

Comedy Panel Show:

Celebrity Juice, Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, QI

Serial Drama:
Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks

Situation Comedy:
Benidorm, Miranda, Outnumbered

Drama:
Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, Merlin, Waterloo Road

Drama Performance Male:
John Barrowman (Torchwood), Martin Clunes (Doc Martin), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), David Threlfall (Shameless)

Drama Performance Female:
Karen Gillan (Doctor Who), Jaye Jacobs (Waterloo Road), Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey), Eve Myles (Torchwood).

Serial Drama Performance: Katherine Kelly (Coronation Street), Alison King (Coronation Street), Danny Miller (Emmerdale), Jessie Wallace (EastEnders).

Reality Programme:
Come Dine With Me, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, The Apprentice, The Only Way is Essex

Factual Programme:
An Idiot Abroad, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings. This Morning, Top Gear

Talk Show:

Alan Carr: Chatty Man, Loose Women, The Graham Norton Show, The Jonathan Ross Show

Newcomer:
Chris Fountain (Coronation Street), Chelsea Halfpenny (Emmerdale), Jacqueline Jossa (EastEnders)

Entertainment Presenter:
Ant & Dec, Keith Lemon, Michael McIntyre, Dermot O'Leary

Entertainment Programme:
Dynamo: Magician Impossible, Harry Hill's TV Burp, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Take Me Out.