Holly Willoughby misses out on presenter award but triumphs with This Morning
ANT and Dec controversially won the best TV presenter gong at the National Television Awards in London last night for the 18th year in a row.
The Geordie duo won despite speculation Ant McPartlin’s fill-in on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, Holly Willoughby, would end their reign.
Ant and Dec halted filming auditions for Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium to make a live video-link appearance at the O2 ceremony to accept their award. Ant, 43, thanked his partner for his ‘dedication’, and ‘being the best mate there is out there’.
Dec said: ‘I’ve got him back now, and now we’re back together.’ Ant was largely off air last year after a drink-drive conviction and rehab.
Ratings-boosting Holly, 37, wearing a frothy polka dot dress, lost out in that category but triumphed when ITV’s This Morning beat Good Morning Britain as best daytime programme.
‘I’m a very lucky lady to have you in my life,’ she told co-presenter Phillip Schofield after winning.
James Bond tip Richard Madden helped score a double for the BBC’s gripping drama Bodyguard. The Scot, 32, beat Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker, 36, to best drama performance and the series edged out Killing Eve to win best new drama. Peaky Blinders was best drama; Emmerdale won best serial drama.
Stars at the awards included Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid, 48, who said before she arrived: ‘I’m desperate for a drink. If someone could prepare a nice, fresh lime margarita.’
THE NTA WINNERS
TV presenter
Ant and Dec
Talent show
Strictly Come Dancing
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award
I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!
Daytime
This Morning
Drama
Peaky Blinders
New drama
Bodyguard
Drama performance
Richard Madden — Bodyguard
Serial drama
Emmerdale
Serial drama performance
Danny Dyer — EastEnders
Comedy
Peter Kay’s Car Share
TV judge
David Walliams — Britain’s Got Talent
Factual entertainment
Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs
Quiz show
The Chase
Newcomer
James Moore — Emmerdale
Author: Andrei Harmsworth
