Ant and Dec scooped the Best Presenter gong for an epic 20th time in a row at the National Television Awards on Thursday, with a visible emotional Ant seen clutching his new wife Anne-Marie as the news was delivered.
The great and the good of British television gathered at London’s 02 Arena for the star-studded awards show, which also saw Kate Garraway choke back tears as her Finding Derek documentary bagged the inaugural authored documentary award.
Meanwhile, This Morning triumphed once again in the Best Daytime category as they led the other big winners on the night including Line Of Duty, Gogglebox and It’s A Sin.
We did it! Ant and Dec scooped the Best Presenter gong for an epic 20th time in a row at the National Television Awards on Thursday, with a visible emotional Ant seen clutching his new wife Anne-Marie as the news was delivered
Ant and Dec looked both elated and stunned as their names were read out amid huge cheers from the audience, with Ant’s new bride Anne-Marie showing him support by taking his hand before applauding the pair.
The Geordie duo beat off competition from the likes of Piers Morgan, Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Bradley Walsh to win the coveted gong once more.
Taking to the stage with his co-star, Ant McPartlin said: ‘Thank you very much indeed’, before going on to recall that the first time they won the award in 2001, Tony Blair was Prime Minister and Newcastle United were qualifying for the Champion’s League.
He went on to add: ‘I’m shaking. You have no idea how special this is.’
Winners: Meanwhile, This Morning triumphed once again in the best Daytime category as they led the other big winners on the night including Line Of Duty, Gogglebox and It’s A Sin
Dec then added that the award is ‘pretty overwhelming’, before thanking their wives for their support.
He continued: ‘When you get to 20, you cant help but look back at first one, so much has changed in lives, but one thing hasn’t changed it how unbelievably grateful we are to you for voting.’
The duo’s proud wives Anne-Marie Corbett and Ali Astall looked on from the audience as their partner’s gave their speech.
Wow: Ant and Dec looked both elated and stunned as their names were read out amid huge cheers from the audience, with Ant’s new bride Anne-Marie showing him support by taking his hand before applauding the pair
We’ve won again: The pair shared a moment together as their win was announced before making their way on stage
Epic: Taking to the stage with his co-star, Ant McPartlin said: ‘Thank you very much indeed’, before going on to recall that the first time they won the award in 2001, Tony Blair was Prime Minister and Newcastle United were qualifying for the Champion’s League
Speaking in the winner’s room later, Ant said: ’20 years, it’s a long time and to get up there tonight and to be voted for so much has happened and the public are still voting for us it means the absolute world.
‘It’s the biggest privilege to be on air and put a smile on people’s faces while going through an awful time.’
While Dec remarked: ‘In the category, the calibre was so high, three other candidates who deserved it! (Jokingly referring to one of those not being Piers Morgan, who was also up for the same gong).
Elsewhere, it proved to be a triumphant night for for This Morning as they once again won the Daytime award.
Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield led the way up on stage as they delightedly accepted the award alongside co-hosts Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes and Rochelle Humes.
Chuffed: ‘Speaking in the winner’s room later, Ant said: ’20 years, it’s a long time and to get up there tonight and to be voted for so much has happened and the public are still voting for us it means the absolute world’
So grateful: ‘It’s the biggest privilege to be on air and put a smile on people’s faces while going through an awful time’
Looking good: Ant and Dc looked dapper in black suits, while Ant’s new wife Anne-Marie Corbett looked ravishing in a lemon yellow gown, while Dec’s wife Ali Astall looked chic in black
Triumphant: The boys celebrated backstage after winning their 20th award
However, the duo will not make their usual worse-for-wear appearance on the ITV show as this year’s awards is held on a Thursday, with the pair not presenting on Fridays.
Phillip thanked the viewers for sticking with the show during the pandemic, while Holly also thanked the team and everyone at home for watching and voting.
Meanwhile, Kate Garraway looked simply stunned as the documentary about her husband Derek Draper’s Covid battle won the authored documentary.
The Good Morning Britain host received a standing ovation from the audience including her ITV pals Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Ruth Langsford as she made her way to the stage.
But things became a bit too much as she choked back tears and asked one of her team to say something while she composed herself.
Nice one! Elsewhere, it proved to be a triumphant night for for This Morning as they once again won the Daytime award
So happy: Phillip thanked the viewers for sticking with the show during the pandemic, while Holly also thanked the team and everyone at home for watching and voting
Happy days: Phillip and Holly later post with their award in the winner’s room, with Holly looking stunning in a sequinned, blue gown
As she stepped up to the mic, she said: ‘It was a hugely brave decision from ITV for doing this, they didn’t know if they were making a TV show about bereavement or triumph’, adding that it ‘ended up being something between the two.’
In her speech, she said: ‘Thank you so much for voting, I wonder if the reason you did this is because our story is your story, I think we’ve all been touched by the pandemic, whether it’s livelihoods or mental health.
‘All the other extraordinary documentaries that have been highlighted this evening have also been affected by the pandemic. I just want to say to all the Darcys and Billies and Dereks and Derek’s family that whatever you’re going through and however you’re effected – you’re not forgotten.
‘We want the joy back, we want it to be over but if you’re still living with the scars the fight goes on.
‘But most important of all, Derek you should be here and he should have had the chance to tell his own story, Derek you’re gonna get the chance, I believe, the hope is real thank you so much!’
Speaking later in the winner’s room, Kate said: ‘Congratulations to the team who made it though together. It’s there’s really. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come tonight.
They’ve done it again! Ant and Dec scooped the best presenter gong for an epic 20th time in a row at the National Television Awards at London’s 02 Arena on Thursday
Amazing win: Meanwhile, Kate Garraway looked simply stunned as the documentary about her husband Derek Draper’s Covid battle won the authored documentary
Struggle: But things became a bit too much as she choked back tears and asked one of her team to say something while she composed herself
Speech: As she stepped up to the mic, she said: ‘It was a hugely brave decision from ITV for doing this, they didn’t know if they were making a TV show about bereavement or triumph’
‘I’m extraordinarily proud of it but it felt like a strange time to leave the family but even on the way in here a woman called Angela and her son jack said I lost my husband and the documentary helped.’
She added: ‘The reaction was extraordinary. They voted because it was their story. We’ve all been touched by the pandemic.
‘Derek’s gonna know about this award tonight. I need to phone home. The kids are in the room with Derek we have a weird contraption at home and they’re watching the whole thing.’
She concluded: ‘The award goes to Derek and kids.’
Brave: Speaking later in the winner’s room, Kate said: ‘Congratulations to the team who made it though together. It’s there’s really. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come tonight’
Gorgeous: Kate looked stunning in a studded black gown
It was an especially great night for Ant and Dec as their show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! also bagged The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.
Meanwhile, Line Of Duty bagged their first NTA during the night, scooping the award for best returning drama.
The drama pipped The Crown, Call The Midwife and Unforgotten to the post, with the cast and crew looking elated as they made their way to the stage.
Nice job: It was an especially great night for Ant and Dec as their show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! also bagged The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award
Congrats: Meanwhile, Line Of Duty bagged their first NTA during the night, scooping the award for best returning drama
However, it was actor Tommy Jessop – who played Terry Boyle – who stole the show as he performed a hilarious dance and did Bruce Forsyth’s famous pose for the audience.
Star Martin Compston later said in the winner’s room: ‘Thank You to everyone who voted for us. Tommy was fantastic. I think he’s going to take the award!
‘People ask me every two mins if there will be another season. These people love what we do so I never take it for granted.
Showman: However, it was actor Tommy Jessop – who played Terry Boyle – who stole the show as he performed a hilarious dance and did Bruce Forsyth’s famous pose for the audience
Performer: The actor left everyone in stitches with his hilarious performance
‘It means it’s going well. It means people are so invested and the fact the audience keeps getting bigger over ten years so who knows?’
Comedian Joel Dommett kicked off the 2021 ceremony, celebrating the return of live in-person shows amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sure to launch the show on a light-hearted yet poignant note, Joel, 36, quipped: ‘It’s been a great year for soaps thanks to all the hand-washing!’
The broadcast kicked off with a VT of Joel frantically trying to find someone to open the show, with the likes of Simon Cowell, Oti Mabuse, Ant & Dec, Holly Willoughby and Mo Gilligan joining in for the skit.
The task ended up being taken on by singer HRVY, who was joined on stage with characters from The Masked Dancer and his former Strictly Come Dancing pro Janette Manrara.
Joel also joked in his speech at he had to stay two metres away from Ant & Dec (‘not because of the pandemic, because they’ve asked me to’) and referenced the awkwardness of watching racy drama Bridgerton with his mother.
He then joked that he wouldn’t be making a gag about Ricky Gervais, who was in the audience, because ‘he’s my idol and I’m scared of him’.
This year, more streamed shows have been nominated than ever before, with Netflix period romp Bridgerton and making the Best New Drama list while After Life and Sex Education scored slots on the Comedy list.
It’s a Sin, Des and Normal People joined Bridgerton on the New Drama short-list while Line of Duty, The Crown, Call the Midwife and Unforgotten made up the Returning Drama category.
NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS 2021: THE WINNERS
Challenge Show
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
Love Island
WINNER: The Great British Bake Off
The Great British Sewing Bee
New Drama
Bridgerton
Des
WINNER: It’s A Sin
Normal People
Talent Show
Britain’s Got Talent
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
WINNER: Strictly Come Dancing
The Masked Singer
Tasty! Bake Off won the Challenge Show prize
Authored Documentary
WINNER: Kate Garraway: Finding Derek
Katie Price: Harvey and Me
Marcus Rashford: Feeding Britain’s Children
Rob Burrow: My Year With MND
Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency
Touching: The Authored Documentary winner was Kate Garraway: Finding Derek
Returning Drama
Call the Midwife
WINNER: Line of Duty
The Crown
Unforgotten
TV Presenter
Alison Hammond
WINNER: Ant and Dec
Bradley Walsh
Holly Willoughby
Piers Morgan
Factual
Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death
WINNER: Gogglebox
Gordon, Gino and Fred: American Road Trip
Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs
Drama Performance
Adrian Dunbar, Ted Hastings, Line of Duty
WINNER: David Tennant, Dennis Nilsen, Des
Martin Compston, Steve Arnott, Line of Duty
Olly Alexander, Ritchie Tozer, It’s A Sin
Vicky McClure, Kate Fleming, Line of Duty
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
WINNER: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Taskmaster
The Graham Norton Show
You lose some, you win some! Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway was up for a prize, but the duo’s other show, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! scooped the gong
Serial Drama
WINNER: Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
Serial Drama Performance
Billy Price, Sid Sumner, Hollyoaks
Danny Dyer, Mick Carter, EastEnders
WINNER: Mollie Gallagher, Nina Lucas, Coronation Street
Sally Carman, Abi Franklin, Coronation Street
Quiz Game Show
WINNER: Beat The Chasers
Celebrity Catchphrase
In For A Penny
Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel
Newcomer
Emile John, Ethan Anderson, Emmerdale
WINNER: Jude Riordan, Sam Blakeman, Coronation Street
Olivia D’Lima, Paramedic Fenisha Khatri, Casualty
Rhiannon Clements, Summer Ranger, Hollyoaks
Rose Ayling-Ellis, Frankie Lewis, EastEnders
Winner! Mollie Gallagher, who plays Nina Lucas in Coronation Street, bagged herself a gong
Daytime
Loose Women
The Chase
The Repair Shop
WINNER: This Morning
Comedy
WINNER: After Life
Friday Night Dinner
Sex Education
The Vicar of Dibley