DAVID TENNANT - DOCTOR WHO AND ASSISTANT BATTLE FOR NATIONAL TV AWARDS

DOCTOR WHO AND ASSISTANT BATTLE FOR NATIONAL TV AWARDS

The Time Lord and his sidekick are both in the running for major accolades at the National Television awards (NTAs), it has been announced.

Doctor Who star David Tennant and his co-star Catherine Tate are both nominated for the outstanding drama performance prize for the awards, which take place on October 29th.

It was rumoured on Sunday that Tennant - currently starring Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Hamlet and Love's Labour's Lost - was considering extending his Doctor Who contract until 2011.

The 37-year-old has previously won two NTAs and faces competition from Tate, Ashes to Ashes' Philip Glenister and Alex Walkinshaw of The Bill.

Ant and Dec have two chances for glory in the entertainment programme category, with Saturday Night Takeaway and I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! nominated alongside Big Brother and The Paul O'Grady Show.

The duo are also nominated for the best entertainment presenter prize, with competition from O'Grady, Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins.

Viewers can vote online or by telephone to select the winners in each of the ten categories, with Sir Trevor McDonald announcing the lucky few live on ITV1 on October 29th.

"The variety of nominees this year shows the remarkable range and diversity of the programmes and performers we all love to watch," he said.

"The NTAs provide a unique opportunity for the industry to gauge public opinion and it will be a huge night for all of us who love great TV."