Hamish and Andy in Gold Logie battle

Comic duo Hamish Blake and Andy Lee have both been nominated for a Gold Logie. Picture: TV Week Magazine Source: Supplied

Lachy Hulme is a favourite to claim the most popular actor prize for his role as Kerry Packer in Howzat! Kerry Packer's War.Picture: TV Week Magazine Source: Supplied

THE race to claim this year's Gold Logie will pit Australia's favourite comic duo Hamish Blake and Andy Lee against each other for the first time.

The Gap Year enthusiasts and Caravan Of Courage co-drivers could divide in two the social media fan solidarity credited with pushing Blake to a controversial win at the annual TV industry prize night last year this time both nabbing individual nominations for the major gong.

The Gold Logie category for 2013 looks an open field of chances, shared across four networks, with nods for Adam Hills (ABC1), Asher Keddie (Ten), Carrie Bickmore (Ten), Steve Peacocke (Seven), as well as Blake and Lee for Nine.

In a sneak peek at four award nominations - ahead of the full list rolling out in TV Week magazine and online - surprise contenders include most popular actor hopeful Hugh Sheridan, for his fleeting farewell appearances on Packed To The Rafters and most popular presenter nominee Chrissie Swan, host of the struggling Can Of Worms.

Swan, embroiled in a pregnancy smoking scandal last month, remains a huge favourite with female viewers despite disappointing ratings for her panel show but is not expected to attend the gala red carpet ceremony on April 7 (which clashes with the due date of her third child).

Comic queen Julia Morris has been recognised for her outstanding acting debut on the prime-time hit, House Husbands, but faces strong competition for most popular actress from Offspring's Asher Keddie, newcomer Ashleigh Cummings (Puberty Blues), Deborah Mailman (Mabo) and multiple Logie-winner Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters).

In something of a shock likely to fuel his haters, former Gold Logie winner and Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic was overlooked for a Gold Logie nomination for the first time in three years.

After his AACTAs disappointment (losing out to Rake's Richard Roxborough) leading man Lachy Hulme looks a certainty to claim the most popular actor prize for his imposing transformation as the late media mogul, Kerry Packer in Howzat! Kerry Packer's War.

His competition in that category (notable for the absence of Roxborough) comes from his Offspring and Howzat! co-star Matthew Le Nevez, Firass Dirani (for The Straits and House Husbands), Home And Away's Steve Peacocke and Hugh Sheridan (for Packed To The Rafters).

GOLD: MOST POPULAR PERSONALITY ON AUSTRALIAN TV

Adam Hills (Adam Hills In Gordon St Tonight, ABC1)
Andy Lee (Hamish & Andy's Euro Gap Year/Hamish & Andy's Caravan Of Courage: Australia Vs New Zealand, Nine Network)
Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)
Carrie Bickmore (The Project, Network Ten)
Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy's Euro Gap Year/Hamish & Andy's Caravan Of Courage: Australia Vs New Zealand, Nine Network)
Steve Peacocke (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR ACTOR
Firass Dirani (House Husbands, Nine Network/The Straits, ABC1)
Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Lachy Hulme (Howzat! Kerry Packer's War, Nine Network, Beaconsfield, Nine Network/Offspring, Network Ten)
Matthew Le Nevez (Offspring, Network Ten)
Steve Peacocke (Home And Away, Channel Seven)

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