Along with three other key members of the lighting team, Gurdon was also nominated for an Emmy at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, scheduled for 22 September 2013 in Los Angeles, for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special, for their work on the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. Gurdon was nominated as Director of Photography, and the three other nominees for the ceremony are Patrick Woodroffe (Lighting Designer), Tim Routledge (Moving Light Programmer) and Adam Bassett (Lighting Director).