It’s awards season again and this year the National Television Awards was hosted by The Masked Singer presenter Joel Dommett; it kicked off with a performance by HRVY, featuring his Strictly Come Dancing partner Jannette.
The NTA’s have always been a warming and humble event and one that has been held closely to celebrities’ hearts since it first began in 1995. Each award is voted by those at home, making each actor, presenter, and TV show all the more grateful for their nomination or win. This year was the 26th National Television Awards, featuring all the memorable shows that kept viewers captivated during lockdown.
From Russell T. Davies providing us with the eye-opening television show all about the aids pandemic in It’s a Sin, to watching I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! move from the jungle to the castle, or seeing Bill Bailey become the oldest person to take the glitter ball in Strictly Come Dancing, this year television has continued to baffle, shock, and thoroughly entertain us all.
So, what were our highlights from this year’s National Television Awards?
Well, we couldn’t forget the charming Jude Riordan who won the Newcomer Award for playing Sam Blakeman in Coronation Street. A young Riordan took to the stage to accept his award but couldn’t reach the microphone. A comical Joel Dommett therefore stood in to give the actor a helping hand, quite literally lifting Riordan off the floor so he could make his speech. You might also recognise Riordan from being on The Secret Life of 4,5, and 6 Year Olds, where he was scouted for being a natural in front of the camera.
Other highlights included Line of Duty receiving the Special Recognition Award. The sixth series of the crime drama became the most watched television show of the century this year, with 12.8 million fans tuning in to watch the series finale.
We were also treated to a live performance from boy band JLS, who returned to the stage for the evening to sing a medley of their hit songs such as ‘Everybody in Love’ and ‘Beat Again’.
An overwhelmed Kate Garraway took home the award for Authored Documentary for Kate Garraway: Finding Derek, the one-off programme that sought to expose the real-life battles of COVID-19 and the effects that it has had on Garraway’s husband, Derek. Garraway communicated a feeling of solidarity with the public in her acceptance speech.
Unsurprisingly, Ant and Dec won the award for TV Presenter. However, more notably this was the duo’s 20th year in a row for winning. The double act beat other industry names such as Holly Willoughby, Bradley Walsh, Alison Hammond, and Piers Morgan, who are yet to steal the crown from the reigning champions in the presenting game.
Want to know more about this year’s National Television Awards?
Here is a full list of this year’s 26th National Television Awards winners and nominees:
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award:
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
WINNER: I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
Taskmaster
The Graham Norton Show
Returning Drama:
Call the Midwife
WINNER: Line of Duty
The Crown
Unforgotten
Challenge Show:
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
Love Island
WINNER: The Great British Bake Off
The Great British Sewing Bee
Serial Drama Performance:
Billy Price (Sid Summer, Hollyoaks)
Danny Dyer (Mick Carter, Eastenders)
WINNER: Molly Gallagher (Nina Lucas, Coronation Street)
Sally Carman (Abi Franklin, Coronation Street)
Comedy:
WINNER: After Life
Friday Night Dinner
Sex Education
The Vicar of Dibley
New Drama:
Bridgerton
Des
WINNER: It’s a Sin
Normal People
Quiz Game Show:
WINNER: Beat the Chasers
Celebrity Catchphrase
In For a Penny
Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel
Factual:
Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death
WINNER: Gogglebox
Gordon, Gino and Fred: American Road Trip
Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs
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)
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
Special Recognition:
Line of Duty
Daytime:
Loose Women
The Chase
The Repair Shop
WINNER: This Morning
TV Presenter:
Alison Hammond
WINNER: Ant and Dec
Bradley Walsh
Holly Willoughby
Piers Morgan
Drama Performance:
Adrain Dunbar (Ted Hastings, Line of Duty)
WINNER: David Tennant (Dennis Nilson, Des)
Martin Compston (Steve Arnott, Line of Duty)
Olly Alexander (Ritchie Tozer, It’s a Sin)
Vicky McClure (Kate Fleming, Line of Duty)
Talent Show:
Britain’s Got Talent
Ru Paul’s Drag Race
WINNER: Strictly Come Dancing
The Masked Singer
Serial Drama:
WINNER: Coronation Street
Eastenders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
You can watch all of the National Television Awards on the ITV Hub.
The 26th National Television Awards: The Highlights by Jessica Doran
