Treats saw Piper play a young woman torn between two lovers

The ex-pop star has been nominated for the best actress prize for her work in the Christopher Hampton play Treats.

Hairspray is one of three shows in line for the best musical award, renamed in honour of late broadcaster Ned Sherrin.

The winners will be announced on 27 November at a London ceremony, to be hosted by the actor Richard Wilson.

Other nominees include former Star Trek star Patrick Stewart, whose Macbeth sees him nominated beside Charles Dance and Robert Lindsay for the best actor prize.

Controversial

The former has been cited for playing CS Lewis in a revival of Shadowlands, while the latter has been recognised for his Old Vic staging of The Entertainer.

Stewart's Shakespeare production, currently running at London's Gielgud Theatre, gets additional nods for its direction and design.

Since leaving Doctor Who in 2006, Piper has been seen in the BBC's Ruby in the Smoke and ITV2's The Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

The former pop star, 25, is currently dating actor Laurence Fox, who appeared alongside her in Treats earlier this year.