Sean Bean, Sheridan Smith, Jo Brand, Jack Whitehall and Ant & Dec all up for Royal Television Society gongs (DAILY MIRROR)

Sean Bean is up for a prestigious award for his portrayal of a transsexual teacher in a courtroom drama.

The actor, who made his name in the Napoleonic war drama Sharpe, is shortlisted for best male actor at the Royal Television Society's Programme Awards 2012.

Bean donned a mini-skirt and a blonde wig for the role in BBC1's Accused where he played an English teacher called Simon and his alter ego, Tracie, whose quest for love leads to the courtroom.

READ MORE AND SEE THE LIST OF NOMINEES: http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/royal-television-society-award-nominations-1738219