British Comedy Awards 2014: Jack Whitehall to defend comedy king crown

Whitehall will compete against David Mitchell, Lee Mack, Graham Norton, Greg Davies and Jo Brand

Jack Whitehall is outraged at the BBC's decision to axe comedy and drama channel BBC Three (Getty Images)

Funnyman Jack Whitehall will be aiming to defend his title of “king of comedy” tonight as he competes once more for the publicly voted prize at the British Comedy Awards.

The 26-year-old could make it a third successive year as he lines up against David Mitchell, Lee Mack, Graham Norton, Greg Davies or a possible queen of comedy, Jo Brand.

The event - to be screened on Channel 4 tomorrow - will be hosted by Jonathan Ross.

Matt Berry is up for a trio of awards as he competes for Best Actor for his show Toast Of London, Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist for his role in BBC show House Of Fools, and Best Internet Comedy Short for his film Lone Wolf.

Toast Of London - which he co-created - is up for six awards. In addition to his acting nod, the programme is in the running for Best Sitcom, Best New Comedy Programme, Best Comedy Moment, Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist (for Harry Peacock) and Best TV Comedy Actress (Doon Mackichan).

While the BBC and Channel 4 dominate the nominations, ITV has earned just one nod - for Ant and Dec in the running for Best Comedy Entertainment Personality for their hosting skills on reality show I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's spoof documentary Harry And Paul's Story Of The Twos, celebrating 50 years of BBC2, has four nominations, including Best Comedy Actor for Enfield and Whitehouse.

Veteran comedy troupe Monty Python's Flying Circus are in the running for two awards for their reunion show Monty Python Live (Mostly) and its accompanying documentary on UKTV.

A pair of special awards will be given out on the night - the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award and the British Comedy Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.

PA