Last year's DJ of the Year O'Connell is also up against Key 103's Justin Moorhouse and 96 Trent FM's Jo & Twiggy as he attempts to retain the award.
O'Connell also secured nominations in three other categories. He is up for the Breakfast Show of the Year award, in which rivals include 95.8 Capital FM's Johnny Vaughan and Magic 1152's MacDonald and Maguire. Ratings giant Terry Wogan's breakfast show has not been nominated.
The Xfm presenter is also up for the station competition award and the entertainment award, where he is up against Radio 2's Jonathan Ross.
Among the BBC's massive tally of nominations, Radio 4 has the most with 13, followed closely by Radio Five Live with 11. With eight nominations, Radio 1 has also out performed stablemate Radio 2, which picked up six nominations.
Radio 1 and Radio 2 will go head to head to compete for the prestigious Station of the Year title, along with GWR's Classic FM. Last year the title was won by Radio 4.
Tim Blackmore, chairman of the Sony Radio Academy Awards committee, said: "UK radio is going through one of its most exciting phases, as new stations and new broadcasters embrace the digital age. It's a real joy to see how these awards consistently manage to reflect the full breadth and depth of one of the world's most vibrant radio markets."
Judges include Des Lynam, John Inverdale, Fi Glover and Steve Rider. At the award ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on May 9, judges will also hand out its prestigious Gold Award, which last year was picked up by veteran Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker.
Among nominations for digital stations, BBC 6 has been shortlisted for the first time, including its presenter Steve Lamacq, who is up for the Music Broadcaster of the Year award.
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