Jarvis Nominated For South Bank Award

Jarvis Cocker, the ex-frontman of Pulp has been nominated for an award celebrating British success.

His debut solo album "Jarvis" is nominated for Best Pop Album alongside Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black." Also nominated are the Arctic Monkeys whose debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" is the fastest selling debut album of all time.

Meanwhile, in the comedy section, Ricky Gervais’ multi award winning series “Extras” is up against a returning episode of “The Royle Family” and the controversial but highly successful Borat movie.

In the film category, Dame Helen Mirren’s “The Queen” is up against 9/11 disaster movie “United 93” and the Andrea Arnold directed “Red Road”.

The nominations have been criticised by some who see it as a dumbing down of an awards ceremony previously known for its appreciation of highbrow arts.

The South Bank Show Awards, hosted by Melvyn Bragg, will be held on January 23 and transmitted on ITV1 on January 28.