In a night filled with glitz, glamour, and surprise wins, Strictly Come Dancing waltzed away with one of the top honors at the National Television Awards (NTAs). The beloved BBC dance competition, despite recent controversies, was voted Best Talent Show by viewers at Wednesday’s star-studded ceremony, proving it hasn’t lost its sparkle.
The win comes after a turbulent few months for Strictly, following allegations about the treatment of contestants, resulting in two professional dancers being dropped. However, with the new series just around the corner, fans rallied behind the show, pushing it ahead of tough competitors like The Great British Bake Off and Britain’s Got Talent.
The scandal wasn’t mentioned on stage, but hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were over the moon with the win. “My heart is beating, Claude,” Daly gushed to her co-host, while Winkleman added with a laugh, “This means everything. We’re so grateful. We’re going to do the conga!”
It was also a double win for Winkleman, whose other hit show, The Traitors, nabbed Best Reality Competition, solidifying her place as a fan favorite.
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Big Winners of the Night
ITV’s gripping drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office dominated the evening with three awards, including Best New Drama and Best Drama Performance for Toby Jones, who played the lead role. In his emotional acceptance speech, Jones acknowledged the real-life figures who inspired the show. A group of wrongly convicted sub-postmasters, central to the drama’s story, joined the cast on stage, adding a powerful touch to the win. The show also received a Special Impact Award, with one of the victims, Jo Hamilton, using the platform to criticize the lack of support from the government.
Ant and Dec: A Winning Streak Like No Other
Ant and Dec continued their NTAs domination, winning Best TV Presenter for the 23rd consecutive year. The duo, known for their infectious charm, beat out competitors including Claudia Winkleman, Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, and Stacey Solomon. “It’s a joy,” said Ant McPartlin. “We know we’re going to not win it one year—but it’s not tonight!”
Declan Donnelly credited his latest victory to a good-luck charm from his six-year-old daughter Isla. “She said, ‘Daddy, take my lip balm, I think it will be good luck.’ Isla, it worked!”
The dynamic duo’s hit show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! also picked up the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, besting their other fan-favorite, Saturday Night Takeaway.
Kate Garraway’s Emotional Tribute
Presenter Kate Garraway delivered one of the evening’s most touching moments, accepting Best Authored Documentary for her deeply personal program about her late husband Derek Draper. Draper, who passed away in January following long-term complications from Covid, was at the heart of the documentary. “This one’s for you, Derek,” Garraway said tearfully, standing alongside their children Billy and Darcey.
Garraway also took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on carers across the country, calling for better systems to support them. “We need a system that catches us when we fall, not catches us out,” she urged.
A Night to Remember
With Strictly Come Dancing taking center stage, Ant and Dec continuing their reign, and heartfelt moments from stars like Kate Garraway, this year’s NTAs celebrated the best of British television, while also serving up a few surprises.
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