Killing Eve stars Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh up for Best Actress gongs as show bags 14 nominations — after bosses bend rules

BAFTA bosses have been nearly as crafty as Jodie Comer’s Killing Eve character when it comes to securing nominations.

They have bent some rules to allow the BBC show to be nominated for 14 gongs at this year’s TV awards.

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Its stars, Jodie Comer, who plays assassin Villanelle, and Sandra Oh, the MI5 officer hot on her trail, are both up for Best Actress.

But the entry criteria for the awards says that to be eligible, a programme must be broadcast  in the UK first, and that “a UK broadcaster must have primary editorial control”.

In fact, the spy series was originally commissioned by BBC America and premiered on US network AMC last April, five months before it aired on BBC1 and BBC3.

Despite this, the programme, created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is still up for 14 gongs including Best Drama Series and Best Supporting Actress for Fiona Shaw, who plays spymaster Carolyn Martens.

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A Bafta spokeswoman said: “Bafta’s TV committee has deemed Killing Eve eligible owing to the significant creative contribution from key talent residing in the UK both in front of, and behind, the camera.

“Development and post-production also took place in the UK.”

Killing Eve’s second series will premiere on US TV next month, with its BBC launch later this year.

No doubt series two will be up for more gongs, despite not being officially eligible either.

Bafta’s Television Committee deems Killing Eve a British series.

Killing Eve received 14 nominations, nine of which were eligible under Bafta’s criteria, and five of which were deemed eligible by the TV committee due to the significant creative contribution from key UK talent throughout the production.

The Television committee is the arbiter of all eligibility.

READ MORE FROM ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN

Ant & Dec takeaway a double

ANT AND DEC are back in the gong game, after losing out to Holly Willoughby at the TRIC Awards and being snubbed by the Royal Television Society.

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The Geordie duo have been nominated for two Bafta TV Awards, despite Ant having a nine-month break last year.

Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent are in the running for Best Entertainment Programme – alongside Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and Strictly Come Dancing.

Ant and Dec are also up for  Best Entertainment Performance for Saturday Night Takeaway – competing against David Mitchell and Lee Mack who are both nominated for Would I Lie To You?

The pair faced a backlash for winning an NTA in January as Ant’s rehab stint meant Dec had to front some shows alone.

But they deserve  a win after Dec steered the ship through choppy waters.

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Meanwhile, boyband BROS were stunned their reunion documentary, Bros: After the Screaming Stops, got  three nods.

Luke Goss said: “What an amazing day  . . . just got a call. ⁦@BAFTA⁩ just announced our film received three nominations! Blown away! #BAFTA have made our night! ⁦@mattgoss⁩ Congrats brother. Sincerely honoured!”

Don’t think they realise the world was laughing at them, not with them . . .

Must watch

WHAT? Eamonn & Ruth: How The Other Half Lives, Channel 5, 9pm

WHY?  Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford meet some of the UK’s richest people including Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold.

Bit Rich to snub Madden

RICHARD MADDEN might be getting a second series of Bodyguard, unlike Keeley Hawes, but at least she’s got a shot at a Bafta.

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The Scottish actor has been completely snubbed by the awards, despite playing the lead role in the hit BBC1 series.

But Keeley, who played Home Secretary Julia Montague in the drama, is up for Best Actress for her work in the show.

She’s also been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for fellow Beeb series Mrs Wilson.

Richard won’t be crying too much, though, if his recent triumphs are anything to go by.

Already this year, he’s won a National Television Award for Drama Performance, and the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama.

His trophy cabinet is filling up nicely . . .

Biz bit

EMMERDALE has been snubbed for the Soap & Continuing Drama category this year.  The ITV show got a nod in 2018 but has missed out with  last year’s winner Casualty,  Corrie, EastEnders and Hollyoaks  up for the gong this time.

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