Smith and Cumberbatch head to head

Doctor Who star Matt Smith will go head-to-head with his terrestrial rival, Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch, at the National Television Awards. 

Both stars, who were thrust into the limelight last year as the 11th incarnation of the Doctor and the quirky detective Sherlock Holmes, have been nominated for best Drama Performance.

Philip Glenister also competes for the title, for his role in Ashes to Ashes, as does five times National Television Awards winner David Jason for A Touch of Frost.

Matt, 28, and 34-year-old Benedict's BBC1 dramas, Doctor Who and Sherlock, have also been shortlisted for best Drama, against rivals Shameless (Channel 4) and BBC1 school series Waterloo Road.