The O2

The O2, the world's most popular music and entertainment venue, today announced the National Television Awards shortlisted nominees.

Britain's TV viewers go to the polls today to decide who triumphs in some of the deadliest rivalries on the small screen. The X Factor against Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders versus Coronation Street and Dermot O'Leary up against Ant & Dec.

This year's Talk Show category sees Jonathan Ross up against Graham Norton - they'll be up against stiff competition as funny man Alan Carr and the ever-popular Loose Women will also be fighting it out for the trophy.

ITV's hugely successful Downton Abbey is making an appearance on the shortlist for the first time, but standing in the way of the thriving period drama is the BBC's long-running favourite, Doctor Who, as well as Merlin and last year's winner, Waterloo Road, all competing in the Drama category.

In the eagerly awaited Reality Programme category, Mark Wright will go up against himself as The Only Way is Essex is nominated for the first time alongside I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! But will either be victorious, as Come Dine With Me and Lord Alan Sugar's The Apprentice are also contenders in this category?

Entertainment veterans The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing on Ice and Britain's Got Talent will battle it out for the highly coveted Talent Show award. These shows have seen fierce ratings wars, contestant controversy and a brand new line up of The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent judges - but how will the public rate them?

Triple nominee Michael McIntyre is up for the title of Entertainment Presenter, alongside Talent Show for his role in Britain's Got Talent and Entertainment Programme for his Comedy Roadshow - this category will see him go up against emerging talent Dynamo, Harry Hill's TV Burp and Saturday night's guilty pleasure, Take Me Out. Standing in McIntyre's way for the Entertainment Presenter trophy is NTA host Dermot, he's up against Tyneside duo Ant and Dec and the quirky Keith Lemon. Keith's NTA debut sees a double-nomination for him as his cheeky spin on the panel game format Celebrity Juice is also up for an honour in the brand new Comedy Panel Show category, alongside QI, Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You.

In the Factual Programme category, Karl Pilkington's An Idiot Abroad goes head to head with My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Plus Torchwood and Doctor Who battle it out with a nomination each in the Drama Performance Male category, with John Barrowman nominated for Torchwood and Matt Smith up for his role as an unforgettable Doctor Who. The rivalries don't end there as the ladies also fight it out to take home a piece of the silverware - gorgeous Karen Gillan from Doctor Who, who's just announced she's leaving the series, goes up against Torchwood's leading lady Eve Myles.

The National Television Awards will take place at The O2 on Wednesday 25 January 2012 and will be broadcasted live on ITV1.