Dame Helen 'prime suspect' for TV awards

Stars of the small screen will be looking to triumph at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards.

Russell Brand, Gordon Ramsay and Dame Helen Mirren are among the nominees.

Dame Helen is a best actress contender yet again - this time for her role in TV drama Prime Suspect.

Ramsay will compete against Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for the best presenter award.

And Brand is in the running for the best breakthrough award.

Extras star Stephen Merchant has been nominated for best comedy performance as useless showbiz agent Darren Lamb - while his series creator and co-star Ricky Gervais doesn't even get a mention.

Merchant will instead compete against comedienne Catherine Tate.

EastEnders is snubbed in the best soap category, which pits Coronation Street against Emmerdale and The Bill.

BBC1 shows Doctor Who, Life on Mars and The Street are all up for best drama series while ITV's Prime Suspect is in the running for drama serial.

The awards will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane.