The nominations are in for this year's British Comedy Awards King or Queen. Out of various awards for television performances, breakthrough comedians, and entertainment personalities, one comedian will rise to be crowned the year's King or Queen of Comedy at the ceremony hosted by Jonathan Ross.

Sarah MillicanDavid Mitchell
Sarah Millican [L] & David Mitchell [R] Are Both Up For The Comedy Award.

Though there are 15 categories in total, only one - the King or Queen of Comedy - is open to public voting meaning British people will choose their favourite comedian of the year. Entertainers up for one of the country's most prestigious comedy awards include Jack Whitehall, David Mitchell, Sarah Millican, Graham Norton, Lee Mack and Alan Carr.

Fans voted Jack Whitehall as their favourite last year, but whether the 25-year-old stand-up can defend his throne remains to be seen. Sarah Millican picked up the award for best female TV comic in 2011 and was nominated in the same category last year. The Geordie comedienne, who launched her own chatshow The Sarah Millican Television Programme last year, could reign supreme in 2013.

Alan CarrLee Mack
Alan Carr [L] & Lee Mack [R] Are Set To Battle It Out For The Comedy Crown.

Aside from these six heavy-weight comedians, who are incidentally exactly the same as last year's nominees in the same category, the awards will also honor Britain's most talented names in stand-up, chatshows and sketch shows go head to head.

Click here to vote via Channel 4.

Peter Capaldi, who will be the next Doctor in Doctor Who, won best comedy actor last year for his role in The Thick of It whilst his co-star Rebecca Front won best comedy actress for her part in the show.

Graham NortonJack Whitehall
Graham Norton [L] & Jack Whitehall Are Amongst The Six British Comedians Nominated.

Sacha Baron Cohen was famously presented with last year's Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2012 awards where he caused a stir when he took to the stage as his Ali G character wearing a gold tracksuit with the word "Savile" emblazoned on the back. He claimed he'd found it in a charity shop and added "I ain't ever heard of this label."

Relive Sacha Baron Cohen's 2012 Acceptance Speech:

Voting will close during the British Comedy Awards 2013 show which will be broadcast live on Channel 4 from Wembley's Fountain Studios on Thursday 12th December.