They have lost money, work and the respect of Andrew Sachs, but what Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross have not lost is their talent, according to the British Comedy Awards.

The pair, who caused a media storm last month after leaving a lewd answer phone message for elderly Fawlty Towers actor Sachs, have both been nominated for gongs at next month’s awards.

Ross, who was due to present the awards before the Sachs scandal broke, is up for Best Comedy Entertainment Programme for Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

Brand, who resigned from the BBC after the controversial phone message went to air on his radio show, has been nominated for Best Live Stand-Up Performer.

Currently suspended by the BBC for three months, it is not known if Ross will attend the ceremony he has hosted for the past 16 years to see a yet-to-be-named presenter take his role and the accompanying pay packet, estimated at £100,000.

The broadcaster’s suspension from the BBC has already cost him around £1.3 million.

Critics of the pair, who include politicians, fellow comedians and presenters, are likely to be outraged if either takes home a gong.

But the awards show, broadcast by ITV, is accustomed to controversy. Last year, it became embroiled in the phone-in scandal after it emerged that viewers of the 2005 show were voting for the People’s Choice Award when the winner had already been decided. Ross was outspoken on that controversy, taking popshots at ITV and organisers from the stage as he hosted the awards.

This year, he will have to beat Harry Hill's TV Burp and The Sunday Night to Project to Best Comedy Entertainment Programme to see a moment on stage.

Brand is up against Alan Carr and Michael McIntyre for the Best Live Stand-Up award.

Other nominees include Gavin and Stacey’s James Corden and Extras' Ricky Gervais, who are both up for Best TV Comedy Actor, and Gervais’ co-star Ashley Jensen and Peep Show’s Olivia Colman for Best TV Actress.

Ant and Dec, Graham Norton, Harry Hill and Alan Carr will compete for Best Comedy Entertainment Personality.

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