Evans is up for two Sony awards

Chris Evans, whose appointment to the Radio 2 drivetime show provoked fury, is today crowned the "comeback kid" of British radio with two prestigious Sony nominations.

Evans is shortlisted for the coveted Music Radio Personality of the Year and the Entertainment Award at the radio industry ceremony.

He will battle it out with heavyweights including Jonathan Ross, Danny Baker and Chris Moyles.

The nominations come as Evans, who turns 40 this weekend, prepares to take over from Johnnie Walker in the Radio 2 drivetime seat next month. He is currently fronting a Saturday show on the station, his first major job since being sacked from the Virgin breakfast slot in 2000.

But the decision to make him Walker's replacement has led to mass protests from listeners. More than 1,000 have bombarded Radio 2 bosses, claiming the appointment is a mistake. So vociferous are the complaints that Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas has been forced to publish a statement, insisting Evans should be given a chance.

The nominations for the Sony awards, which will take place in London on 8 May, were unveiled last night.

Heart breakfast host Jamie Theakston and Xfm counterpart Lauren Laverne both take on Evans for Music Radio Personality of the Year.

Among the London stations, Xfm received six nominations - including UK station of the year in a battle with Radio 1 and Radio 2. Dominating the categories as usual is Radio 4, with a clutch of nominations including best drama, best comedy and a best news and current affairs nomination for the Today programme.