BAFTA TV Awards 2013 Preview

We take a look at the nominees ahead of tonight’s 2013 British Academy Television Awards.

Anyone who is anyone in British television works towards this night. The most prestigious television award ceremony in the country as gongs are handed out to the actors, actresses, producers and personalities who put together programmes for our eyes and ears.

Drama Series sees Last Tango in Halifax, Scott and Bailey, Ripper Street and Silk do battle. The Last Tango cast has also received a number of acting nominations with Derek Jacobi up for Leading Actor, Anne Reid for Leading Actress and a Supporting Actress nomination for Sarah Lancashire.

Best Entertainment Programme will see BAFTA presenter Graham Norton’s own Friday night chat show go against Dynamo: Magician Impossible, Sky 1 sport quiz A League of Their Own and the long running news quiz Have I Got News For You. Norton is also nominated in Entertainment Performance category alongside Ant and Dec, Alan Carr and Sarah Millican.

News Coverage category sees local news given a rare chance to win following Granada Reports nomination for its special on the Hillsborough report – The Truth At Last. Channel 4  News coverage of the battle for Homs and BBC News at Ten coverage of the Syrian conflict are also nominated.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony is up against the cooking giant The Great British Bake Off in the Radio Times Audience Award. This is the only award of the night which is voted for by the British public. Game of Thrones, Homeland, Strictly Come Dancing and Call The Midwife are also up for the award.

Sports presenter Clare Balding and cook Delia Smith have already been given their Special Awards for contribution to television over the years. The Fellowship this year is awarded to Michael Palin.

The full list of categories and nominees can be seen by clicking here.

The BAFTA Television Awards air tonight at 8.00pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.