Extras Stars Go Head-To-Head At TV Baftas

Ricky Gervais is up against long-time collaborator Stephen Merchant in a battle for one of Britain's top television awards this year.

Ricky Gervais is up against long-time collaborator Stephen Merchant in a battle for one of Britain's top television awards this year, organisers said on Wednesday.

The creators and co-stars of the BBC2 sitcom "Extras" are nominated for a Bafta best comedy performance award.

They face competition from Dawn French in "The Vicar of Dibley" and Liz Smith, who plays Nana in "The Royle Family".

Extras follows the ups and downs of struggling "background artiste" and minor TV star Andy Millman, played by Gervais, and his hapless agent Darren Lamb (Merchant).

Robert De Niro, David Bowie and Coldplay's Chris Martin were among the stars who sent themselves up in the second series.

The show missed out on a nomination for the best comedy programme.

"The Catherine Tate Show", which gave the nation the catchphrase "Am I Bovvered?", takes on Matt Lucas and David Walliams' Christmas special "Little Britain Abroad".

Ant & Dec's "Saturday Night Takeaway" is up against BBC chatshow "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross", Stephen Fry's panel game "QI" and Paul Merton in "Have I Got News For You" in the entertainment performance category.

Channel 4's "Longford", a drama about the life of Labour peer and prison reform campaigner Lord Longford, picked up four nominations, including best actor for Jim Broadbent.

The winners will be announced at the London Palladium on May 20.