It was a night of what ifs for Alison Hammond and flagship show This Morning, but it was business as usual for Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as the National Television Awards got underway on Tuesday evening.
Beneath the lights of London’s O2 Arena, it was Ant and Dec who claimed their 22nd NTA at the annual ceremony following a successful return to the Australian jungle with ITV1 juggernaut I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The pair claimed the award ahead of the much fancied Hammond, notably selected ahead of her This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby in the category for Best Presenter.
Meanwhile This Morning lost its best daytime show title at the as The Repair Shop claimed the prize, with the ITV daytime show the subject of boos from members of the audience as the awards ceremony got underway.
It comes as the ITV morning programme, which has been on a winning streak in the daytime category for the last number of years, continues to face backlash amid the furore of the Phillip Schofield affair.
Unexpected: The Repair Shop beat This Morning to Best Daytime at the National Television Awards on Tuesday evening
Mixed emotions: It was a night of what ifs for Alison Hammond , but it was business as usual for Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as the event got underway
Well done: Beneath the lights of London’s O2 Arena, it was Ant and Dec who claimed their 22nd NTA at the annual ceremony
Success: The pair claimed the award ahead of the much fancied Hammond, notably selected ahead of her This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby in the category for Best Presenter
The Repair Shop host Jay Blades encouraged the crowd to cheer as the show’s team took to the stage at The O2 and took a picture of the moment as he noted it was a “rarity” for them to be winning the prize.
Blades thanked those who voted and the team behind the show, adding: ‘I would like to salute my experts, they are my family.’
He also praised his fellow nominees at This Morning, The Chase and Loose Women, saying: “We’re the new kids on the block ad I’m glad we’ve won this time.
‘I know it won’t be a regular thing so thank you.’
Ant and Dec – who were also competing with Martin Lewis, Claudia Winkleman and Bradley Walsh for Best Presenter – admitted they were “more nervous than ever” before going into the event on Tuesday evening, but were just as “humbled and grateful” to receive the honour as they had ever been.
Ant said: ‘Thank you so much to the NTAs we’ve got quite a long list of thank yous, all of the shows and the people we work with, we are the luckiest two men on telly because we’ve got the best production teams and the best people to work with, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.’
His presenting partner Declan Donnelly added: ‘Thank you to ITV, to Kevin and Katie and all the team at ITV for your continued support. Thank you to our fantastic management team for your support, thank you gang, you’re up in the box somewhere.
‘Thank you to our lovely wives, our beautiful children. I can’t believe that we are still getting away with this…’
All smiles: But Hammond missed out on her first major award at the NTAs on Tuesday night
Best pals: Holly Willoughby was on hand to support co-host Hammond at the O2 Arena
Admission: Ant and Dec – who were also competing with Martin Lewis , Claudia Winkleman and Bradley Walsh for Best Presenter – admitted they were “more nervous than ever” before going into the event on Tuesday evening
Stunned: The pair were elated as their names were announced at the O2 Arena
Pledge: The ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ presenters promised to keep working together for as long as possible
Ant interrupted: Were you more nervous than ever?’
Dec agreed: ‘Ever before, hands are sticky, my heart is beating, but we are as humbled and grateful tonight as we were the first time we won, so thank you for taking the time to vote for us, we really appreciate it.’
The ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ presenters promised to keep working together for as long as possible.
Dec said: ‘We’ll see you back on telly very soon.’
Ant added: ‘We’ll keep doing it for as long as you want us to keep doing it.’
Elsewhere Danielle Harold cried as she picked up the Serial Drama Performance Award for her former role in EastEnders.The actress appeared genuinely stunned as she made her way onto the stage after her portrayal of brain tumour victim Lola Pearce-Brown’s final days saw her scoop the accolade ahead of Emmerdale’s Dominic Brunt and Coronation Street stars Charlotte Jordan and Maureen Lipman.
Delighted: Bobby Brazier got a kiss from Danielle Harold after winning the Rising Star award
Unbelievable: Dad Jeff leapedm to his feet after Bobby’s name was announced on Tuesday
Thank you: The young actor credied his father as he accepted the award at London’s O2 Arena
Close: J4eff embraced his son as he rose to accept his award on Tuesday evening
Proudnof you: The father-of-two was seen applauding as Bobby made his way to the stage
Accepting the award from Michelle Collins – who excitedly shouted “Yes” when she read out Danielle’s name, the actress said: ‘I literally… I really didn’t prepare anything, I thought this is the biggest, biggest, biggest shock and I can’t believe I’m standing in front of the O2.
‘I just want to say literally every single person who had an input into this storyline and the research, guys this is for you.
‘Please give money to Brain Tumour Research UK, they need it so, so much, they really do.’
She added: ‘I just want to take a minute to thank all the cast and Chris, and everyone who supported me, Julia Crampsie who brought me into the show, guys I love you so much without your support I couldn’t do this, thank you so much.’
Earlier in the evening, the TV Interview honour went to The Graham Norton Show but unlike category rivals Louis Theroux, Piers Morgan and Chris and Rosie Ramsay, the host wasn’t at the ceremony to be able to accept the accolade in person
The Traitors won the Reality Competition prize, while the third season of ‘Happy Valley’ landed the Returning Drama honour.
Triumph: EastEnders rounded off the night by winning the award for Best Serial Drama
Loving it: The entire cast posed backstage with their award after Tuesday evening’s show
Thank you: Gillian Taylforth addressed the audience after collecting the gong
Emotional: Sarah Lancashire was reduced to tears after accepting her award for Best Drama performance in Happy Valley
All mine: Former EastEnders star Danielle Harold with the award for Serial Drama Performance
Can’t believe it: There were tears onstage as Danielle accepted her award from EastEnders legend Michelle Collins
Unreal: The actress broke down as she gave her speech during Tuesday evening’s ceremony
High glamour: Michelle Collins looked stunning as she took to the stage to present the award
Loving it: There were cheers from the cast as Danielle’s name was announced
Here you go: Danielle struggled to contain her emotions as she received the gong
The evening’s first award, the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, was presented to Gogglebox.
Happy Valley also triumphed on the night, with the show winning in the category for Returning Drama, while actress Sarah Lancashire claimed the award for best Drama Performance.
The actress saw off tough competition from her co-star James Norton, Queen Charlotte’s India Amarteifio, Vera’s Brenda Blethyn and Call The Midwife’s Judy Parfitt to claim the prize.
The 58-year-old actress wiped away tears as she took to the stage at London’s O2 to accept the accolade following an introduction from Sir Ian McKellen and a compilation video featuring highlights of her career and tributes from past co-stars including William Roache, Dawn French, Nicola Walker, James Norton, and Siobhan Finneran.
To chants of ‘Sarah! Sarah!’, she emotionally said: “You have no idea what it’s like to have so many lovely things said about you by so many people you love and admire. This gentleman in particular.
“I have been so very fortunate to spend my working life doing a job that I love, made possible by brilliantly talented people – producers, directors, writers, actors – and I am exceptionally lucky to have enjoyed every moment of it.
“But there are also enablers wo stand very quietly in the wings without expectation or due credit, they are my family, my husband, my children, my friends, my agent Nick, thank you.
“And of course a very vital component in this is you, the audience.
“Without you, all this would grind to a crashing halt. So carry on doing what you’re doing, keep watching, and we’ll keep doing what we do.
“Thank you so much for this, it’s very special.”
The prestigious honour wasn’t Sarah’s only trip to the stage either, as she also secured the Drama Performance award for her portrayal of Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley, and the show itself took the Returning Drama award.
Meanwhile, EastEnders beat rivals Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks to the tightly-fought Serial Drama prize, marking the soap’s third win of the night.
Speaking on behalf of the cast, Gillian Taylforth said: ‘Thank you to everybody who has voted for us, this means so much to us, it’s amazing.
‘EastEnders’ really is a team effort, we are a family. We stand up here taking the credit and the glory but there’s so many people backstage and behind the scenes. WE’d love to thank everyone personally but if we did we’d be here all night. Don’t worry, we’ll come and celebrate with you lot when we get back to Walford.
‘We’d also like to celebrate with the other nominees in this category who have had a wonderful and brilliant year.
‘There’s also one man we must say special thanks to and that is [executive producer] Chris Clenshaw.’
Earlier in the evening, Danielle Harold fought back tears and admitted she wasn’t prepared when she won the Serial Drama Performance award for her portrayal of brain tumour victim Lola Pearce-Brown’s final days.
And that’s not all because Bobby Brazier scooped the Rising Star honour in recognition of his role as Freddie Slater and dedicated his win to his dad, TV presenter Jeff Brazier, who looked on in tears.
Bobby said: ‘Oh wow. I’ve been thinking what I might say over the last couple of days and it’s become obvious.
‘This has very little to do with me and everything to do with my dad. Over the course of the last 20 years, I’ve consistently heard him say, “Because I can”, a mantra or a motto and him just saying that”Because I can’, why not.”‘
Elsewhere at the ceremony – which was hosted by Joel Dommett – Ant and Dec took home the TV Presenter prize for the 22nd year in a row, while ‘The Traitors’ won Reality Competition, ‘Gogglebox’ scooped the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ won the Talent Show prize ahead of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, The Great British Bake Off, and The Great British Sewing Bee.
The late Paul O’Grady – who died in March aged 68 – was aarded the Factual prize for ‘The Love of Dogs’, shortly after a touching compilation video, including his many previous NTA wins, had broadcast.
Leading those who worked on the show, head vet Shaun Opperman – to repeated interruptions from the barking of dog Wiley, who had been brought on stage – accepted the award and said: ‘We’d like to thank Paul of course and the ITV team. for shining a light on the care we are able to provide for the 100 or more dogs and cats that come to Battersea each week.
I know that Paul cared deeply about each and every one of those animals. I think there’s something about their plight and vulnerability that really struck a chord with Paul. For over 10 years he was a tireless ambassador, not just for us but rescue animals everywhere.”
As Wiley howled, he added: ‘For me though, he was just tremendous fun to work with and a lovely, lovely man and we will really miss him.
‘Thank you Paul and thank you so much.’
Elsewhere This Is England actress Vicky McClure said that she was “shaking” during the Our Dementia Choir performance at the annual event.
McClure, 40, who is the founder of the choir, spoke live at the NTA’s and said: ‘I am shaking through pride that I am feeling right now to witness Our Dementia Choir playing at the O2.”
She added: ‘Our mission is to share knowledge, raise awareness and aid research to help find a cure, but also to remind everyone that with the right hearts and minds you really can change people’s lives for the better.’
Joel Dommett kicked off proceedings on Tuesday, telling the audience: ‘My wife is actually nine months pregnant, she is due basically now.’
He joked that if his partner, Hannah Cooper, goes into labour, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are on stand by to take her to the hospital.
Gogglebox took home the first award of the night, The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.
The reality TV series beat The Masked Singer and Ant and Dec, who were nominated for two of their shows, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway.
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