Mae Martin, Mark Steel and Rob Newman

Mae Martin, Mark Steel and Robert Newman have all been shortlisted for an award for their Radio 4 comedy shows.

They are the nominees in the ‘best comedy with a live audience’ category of the BBC Audio Drama Awards.

Meanwhile, Guilt Trip, the comedy-drama created by Felicity Montagu with her daughter Olivia Nixon and  Katherine Jakeways is shortlisted for best scripted comedy. The pair also starred in the four-part show about a mother and daughter exploring their relationship over a sponsored walk.

Also nominated are Secret Kebabs by Christine Entwisle – about a relationship counsellor and a kebab shop owner –  and The Strange Vanishing of Julian Quark by Tom Wainwright, in which Toby Jones played a Prime Minister who loses body parts as he broke election pledges.

The shows shortlisted in the audience category are Mae Martin’s Guide To 21st Century Sexuality, the episode of Mark Steel’s In Tow set in Stockport, and Robert Newman’s Entirely Accurate Encyclopaedia Of Evolution.

The awards ‘recognise the cultural significance, range and originality of audio drama’ and comedy, and are judged by a team of industry experts including actress Alison Steadman, journalist Baz Bamigboye, and Chortle editor Steve Bennett.

Winners will be announced on Sunday January 29 at the Radio Theatre in BBC Broadcasting House at a ceremony hosted by Sir Lenny Henry.

Published: 3 Jan 2017