Veteran actor, David Jason, famous for his role in Only fools and Horses and annual award favourite has been ousted in the Most Popular Actor category by stand up comic Alan Davies.

Last year David Jason swept the board picking up three awards, including most popular actor, but this year none of his shows have been nominated.

This year's favourite Alan Davies is a virtual newcomer to television. He made his mark in the BBC One murder mystery drama Jonathan Creek.

Other contenders in this category are Robson Green, Ross Kemp, Stephen Tompkinson and John Thaw.

Dame Judi Dench gains a nomination

Actresses Pam Ferris and Sarah Lancashire from the district nurse drama Where the Heart is have been nominated in the Most Popular Actress category.

Also competing in this category are Amanda Burton, Dervla Kirwan and Pauline Quirke.

For the first time in the awards' four year history female nominees outnumber men in the Most Popular Comedy performer category.

Caroline Quentin, Dawn French and Oscar-winning Judi Dench will compete against Martin Clunes and Nicholas Lyndhurst for the award.

Good news too for British home grown soaps. Brookside, Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale replace the Australian favourites Neighbours and Home and Away in the Serial Drama category.

Michael Barrymore earns two nominations

The ever popular Michael Barrymore has gained two nominations. He has been nominated in the Best Entertainment Presenter category, despite his turbulent personal life. And his show Strike It Rich was named in the Best Quiz programme category.

Around half a million viewers voted for their top TV personalities.

Kim Turberville, Managing Director for Indigo television, the production company responsible for televising the event said:

"We were absolutely delighted when one third of a million people voted for last year's awards but this year the response has been even more remarkable."

The star studded award ceremony takes place at the Royal Albert Hall, London on October 27 and will be televised by ITV afterwards.

Full List of nominees

Most Popular Actor
Alan Davies, John Thaw, Robson Green, Ross Kemp, Stephen Tompkinson

Most Popular Actress
Amanda Burton, Dervla Kirwan, Pam Ferris, Pauline Quirke, Sarah Lancashire.

Most Popular Comedy Performer

Caroline Quentin, Dawn French, Judi Dench, Martin Clunes, Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Most Popular Entertainment Presenter
Bruce Forsyth, Jim Davidson, Lily Savage, Michael Barrymore

Most Popular Comedy Programme
Friends, Last of the Summer Wine, Men Behaving Badly, The Vicar of Dibley

Most Popular Drama Series
Ballykissangel, Kavanagh QC, Jonathan Creek, Where the Heart Is

Most Popular Entertainment Programme
It'll Be Alright On The Night, Jim Davidson's Generation Game, Shooting Stars, Stars in their Eyes.

Most Popular Quiz Programme
A Question of Sport, Have I Got News For You, Michael Barrymore's Strike It Rich, They Think It's All Over.

Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme
Animal Hospital, Celebrity Ready, Steady Cook, Strange But True?, Changing Rooms.

Most Popular Serial Drama
Brookside, Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale.

Most Popular Talk Show
Des O'Connor Tonight, Parkinson, TFI Friday, The Mrs Merton Show.

Most Popular Daytime Programme
Big Breakfast, Countdown, GMTV, This Morning.

Most Popular Newcomer
Adam Rickett, Anna Brecon, Claire Goose, Jane Danson, Jason Durr.