We might mock them as a humourless bunch, but British comedy is facing stiff competition from the Germans.

Six UK shows have been shortlisted in the prestigious Rose d'Or International TV awards, with Germany close on our heels with five.

Canada, Norway, Sweden and South Africa are also in the running, with one show apiece.

The Brit entries are Little Britain (obviously), Ali G creator Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat and Bruno, The Green Wing, The Catherine Tate Show and The Impressionable Jon Culshaw.

Meanwhile the best sitcom category features BBC comedy Nighty Night, The Worst Week Of My Life, Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere, My Family, BBC Scotland's Still Game, Frank Skinner's Shane and three international shows.

The Keith Barret Show and Lenny Henry have been nominated in the variety category.

In all, 126 programmes have been shortlisted for awards at the Rose D'Or festival, which opens in Lucerne, Switzerland, on May 3.