In a night full of celebration, controversy, and personal triumphs, the National Television Awards (NTAs) showcased the best of British television, highlighting resilience and enduring appeal.
Strictly Come Dancing Overcomes Scandals to Claim Top Prize
In a remarkable display of resilience, Strictly Come Dancing emerged victorious at the NTAs, clinching the title of the best talent show. This win is especially significant given the show’s recent struggles, including allegations about the treatment of its contestants. The dance competition, a beloved fixture of Saturday nights, beat out high-profile competitors like The Great British Bake Off and Britain’s Got Talent.
Co-host Tess Daly expressed her gratitude during the acceptance speech: “My heart is beating, Claude. It means the world, genuinely, to all of us.” Claudia Winkleman, her co-host, added, “This means everything. We’re so grateful. We’re going to do the conga.” Despite recent controversies, the victory is a testament to the show’s strong connection with its audience.
Claudia Winkleman Celebrates Double Victory
It was a night of double success for Claudia Winkleman, who also took home the award for best reality competition for her other show, The Traitors. This recognition underscores Winkleman’s prominence in television and her ability to captivate audiences with diverse programming.
ITV's Mr Bates vs the Post Office Stands Out
The evening’s most notable achievements included ITV’s Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which swept three significant awards, including Best New Drama and Best Drama Performance for Toby Jones. Jones, who portrayed the lead role, acknowledged the show’s significance, saying, “This means an awful lot, not just to me but to the extraordinary people who inspired our show, some of whom are in the audience this evening.”
The drama also received a special impact award based on the real-life scandal involving wrongfully convicted sub-post managers. Jo Hamilton, a scandal victim, used her platform to critique the current government’s handling of the situation, stating, “What I’d like you to know is I went to Westminster a couple of weeks back and saw the new minister. And trust me, nothing has changed.”
Ant and Dec's Unstoppable Winning Streak
Ant and Dec continued their remarkable run, winning the Best TV Presenter award for the 23rd consecutive year. Their streak is unparalleled in the industry, further solidified by their victory over other nominees such as Claudia Winkleman and Alison Hammond. Declan Donnelly expressed the difficulty of putting their achievement into words: “It’s hard to put into words just how this feels year after year.” Ant McPartlin added, “It’s a joy. We know we’re going not to win it one year—but it’s not tonight.”
Donnelly also shared a touching story about a lucky charm from his daughter, Isla: “She left for school first thing this morning and said, ‘Daddy, good luck tonight, I hope you win the trophy.’ She said, ‘Take my lip balm, I think it will be good luck.’ Isla, it worked!”
In addition to their presenting award, their show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! won the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, further demonstrating their dominance in the entertainment field.
Kate Garraway's Emotional Tribute
The night she also featured a profoundly emotional moment with Kate Garraway’s win for best-authored documentary, highlighting her work about her late husband, Derek Draper. Draper, who passed away in January due to severe complications from COVID-19, was remembered in Garraway’s acceptance speech. “It’s so strange to be here—this one’s for you, Derek, absolutely,” she said, with her children Billy and Darcey by her side.
Garraway used her platform to advocate for improved support systems for carers, stating, “We need a system which catches us when we fall, not catches us out. I’m going to keep the fight on for all of you.”
A Night of Celebration and Reflection
The NTAs celebrated British television’s finest, showcasing resilience, personal victories, and enduring popularity. From Strictly Come Dancing’s comeback to Ant and Dec’s continuous success and Kate Garraway’s heartfelt tribute, the night underscored the power of television to reflect and influence the human experience.
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