DOCTOR WHO - DOCTOR WHO AND ASSISTANT SET FOR TV AWARDS CLASH

DOCTOR WHO AND ASSISTANT SET FOR TV AWARDS CLASH

Doctor Who actor David Tennant and his co-star Catherine Tate will face off for a major accolade at the National Television awards (NTAs) later.

The Time Lord and his sidekick are both nominated for the outstanding drama performance prize for the awards, which take place at London's Royal Albert Hall this evening (Wednesday October 29th).

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

It was rumoured earlier this month that Tennant - currently starring Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Hamlet and Love's Labour's Lost - may extend his Doctor Who contract until 2011 but he has not yet commented on the reports.

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

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 - an award they claimed on seven previous occasions - with competition from O'Grady, Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins.

EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks are up for the best popular serial drama award while Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and Dancing on Ice are named in the most popular talent show category.

Top Gear will aim to take home the most popular factual show award for the third consecutive year, with competition from The Apprentice, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and This Morning.

Other categories include most popular comedy show, most popular newcomer, and most popular drama.