Branagh is nominated in the best actor category

A member of the voting panel had told a theatre website that organisers the Society of London Theatre tried to influence the shortlist.

Professionals and the public draw up a longlist and decide winners but society members help choose the shortlist.

But chief executive Richard Pulford said the comments were "nonsense".

The panellist, who is not named by the website, told Whatsonstage.com: "They [the awards] are more an industry pat on the back for commercial success or for the big names to feel good about themselves than a recognition of talent, ability and excellence."

Unique

But Mr Pulford said the panellist did not understand how the system worked, and panellists and society members worked together to draw up the shortlists.

"The running of our awards system is almost unique - it is not the members who make the final decision, unlike many other awards including the Oscars and Baftas where it is only the members who vote at every stage," he told BBC News Online.

There were bound to be disagreements, he said.

"People have different opinions of course - surprises often come out, as they do when many award nominations are announced," said Mr Pulford.

Imminent

He denied claims that society members put several names on the shortlists which were not on the longlists.

"The members are allowed to add extra names if they wish but they rarely do and nobody did this year," he told BBC News Online.

Nominations include Helen Mirren and Kristin Scott Thomas for best actress, Kenneth Branagh and Matthew Kelly for best actor and Elmina's Kitchen and The Pillowman for best new play.

The Olivier Award winners will be announced on 22 February.