Miranda defends her comedy crown

Mianda Hart will be defending her crown as Queen of Comedy at the British Comedy Awards 2011.

The star of hit BBC show Miranda, who won the People's Choice Award for King or Queen of Comedy at last year's event, has been nominated again, and is set to battle it out against star comics including Peep Show's David Mitchell and chat show host Graham Norton.

Newcomer and Fresh Meat star Jack Whitehall is also in the running for the crown, along with sarcastic stand-up Jo Brand and Loose Women's Sarah Millican.

The British Comedy Awards sponsored by Foster's will be broadcast live on Channel 4 from Wembley's Fountain Studios at 9pm on December 16 with Jonathan Ross returning as host.

He said: "I've tried, but I can't think of a more entertaining way to spend a winter's evening then watching a room full of our best and brightest comedians get slowly drunk while they wait to see which of their rivals picks up an award. Surely that's what Christmas is all about?

"To be hosting it again, for what feels like the 87th time, is also an honour and privilege and I will do my best, like the Batman facing a room full of Jokers, to keep things running smoothly."

There are 17 categories in this year's British Comedy Awards, including Best New British TV Comedy, Best Sitcom, Best Comedy Actor and Actress, Lifetime Achievement Award and Outstanding Contribution to British Comedy. The nominations will be revealed in full during a one hour Channel 4 show on December 11 at 10pm.

Lines are now open for the the public to vote for the People's Choice Award on 0901 616 4444 and close during the ceremony. For more details go to www.channel4.com/britishcomedyawards.