Alan Partridge up for South Bank Sky Arts Award

A series of online shorts featuring Alan Partridge has been nominated for a South Bank Sky Arts Award in the comedy category.

The episodes, which were made for beer company Fosters, can be accessed at www.fostersfunny.co.uk and will be competing against the BBC's Getting On and Rev for the prize.

It is the first time that a series only available on the internet has been shortlisted for the award.

The ceremony will be shown on Sky Arts 1 HD, with the South Bank Show having previously been associated with ITV1.

However, a new South Bank Show episode was aired on the channel for the final time in December 2009, and Sky has decided to step in and back the 15th edition of the awards with which the programme was once associated.

Hosted by Melvyn Bragg, the event will be held at the Dorchester hotel and broadcast on January 25th 2011.

Designed to showcase the best of British culture, South Bank Sky Arts Awards will also be presented for a number of other categories, including TV drama, theatre and pop music.

"It is fantastic to see the arts flourishing - and there has certainly never been a more important moment to celebrate the breadth and range of talent across the country," Bragg commented.

"We are delighted that we can continue to honour the dedication of these artists."

The South Bank Show was watched in more than 60 countries at its peak having made its ITV1 debut in 1978.