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BRAND OF GOLD

Russ is up for award double

by NIGEL PAULEY


RUSSELL Brand looks set to steal the show at next month's British Comedy Awards.

Scruffy-haired swordsman Russell, 31, is up for two major awards at the live telly gong show.

The Big Brother's Big Mouth and Russell Brand's Got Issues star has been nominated as best male newcomer and for best live stand-up tour.

Joining him will be Welsh diva Charlotte Church, 20, who has been nominated for her first gong - as best female newcomer.

But Little Britain won't be making it a hat-trick of wins for Best TV Comedy after failing to make the shortlist. Extras, starring Ricky Gervais, 45, and Ashley Jensen, 37, will battle it out with Peep Show and The Thick of It.

Sexy Ashley, best newcomer and best actress last year for her role as hapless Maggie, also misses out.

David Mitchell and Robert Webb, both 33, are up for four awards, while Catherine Tate, 38, is hot favourite for best actress.

Boozy

Ricky, who missed out last year despite a record five nominations, faces competition from sidekick Stephen Merchant, 32, for best comedy actor.

Bosses have taken steps to try to cut out the usual bad boozy behaviour at this year's live bash, hosted by Jonathan Ross, 45.

They have cut the awards down to just 90 minutes from a sprawling two-anda-half hours by trimming the main ITV1 show to just 10 awards - the rest will be screened on ITV2 later. - The British Comedy Awards are on ITV1 on December 13 at 9pm.

nigel.pauley@dailystar.co.uk

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