Now you’re talking – Ross and Norton vie for award

JONATHAN Ross has been pitted against his BBC1 chat show replacement, Graham Norton, in the longlist for this year’s National Television Awards.

Ross, who was the BBC’s highest-paid TV star before he quit after 13 years at the corporation, is up for best talk show for his programme that recently made its debut on ITV1.

The Graham Norton Show, which replaced Ross’s programme on BBC1 on Friday nights, is also up for the award, with others including Alan Carr: Chatty Man (Channel 4) and the Alan Titchmarsh Show (ITV1).

The drama category includes Downton Abbey, Doc Martin (both ITV1), Spooks, Doctor Who, Lark Rise To Candleford and Upstairs Downstairs (all BBC1).

X Factor host Dermot O’Leary, a contender in the entertainment presenter category, hosts the awards on ITV1 in January.