Apparently the prospect of another baby for Billy and Honey hasn't been enough to redress the balance of "boring plots and acting" that EastEnders has been accused of this year, and as a result the Royal Television Society has decided the programme won't even be shortlisted for this year's prestigious "best soap" award.

This will come as a second blow to the BBC, still smarting over a poor showing in the RTS journalism awards.

More importantly, it leaves the field clear for rival soaps Emmerdale, Coronation Street and The Bill which have all been nominated, virtually guaranteeing a win for ITV in the best soap category.

An official spokesman tried to shrug off the snub by reminding us that they won the National TV Award, but insiders have admitted that they are disappointed not to be even nominated.

Tired old David Brent lookalike Ricky Gervais has also missed out on a nomination for best comedy performance in the not even remotely funny Extras, although his writing partner Stephen Merchant has been listed. With competition from the histrionic Catherine Tate and Star Stories' Kevin Bishop, which won Best New Comedy at last year's British Comedy Awards, I know where my money's going.