Ant and Dec win National Television Award for 15th year running

20 January 2016

Ant and Dec were crowned TV Presenters of the Year at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night (20.01.16).

Ant and Dec

The Geordie duo have now taken home the gong for a staggering fifteen consecutive years, but Dec said the honour doesn't get any less as the time progresses.

He said: "Thank you so much, this is amazing. People said to us on the way tonight, 'Does it get boring winning awards?' No! It doesn't! If anything our gratitude has grown over the years because you never know when you're going to get it again."

And Ant added: "It's getting a bit mental now!"

Ant and Dec, whose full names are Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, beat Graham Norton, Rylan Clark-Neal and Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins to take home the gong.

Wednesday night's ceremony opened with footage of survival expert Bear Grylls prepping Dermot O'Leary for his hosting job. Dermot then descended from the ceiling at London's O2 Arena, and welcomed the audience to the ceremony, before making reference to his former role as 'The X Factor' host by telling the crowd: "Oh yeah, I've still got this job, for now!"

Dermot then introduced Gloria Gaynor, who belted out her hit song 'I Will Survive'.

The first award of the evening was for Challenge Show, presented by Ant and Dec.

'The Great British Bake Off' was crowned the winner of the category, with Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry and last year's winner Nadiya Hussain taking to the stage to accept the prize.

Paul said: "Last year was the best year we've ever had, the bakers were amazing and Nadiya became a legend!"

The next award was for Drama, with 'Poldark' actor Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson presenting it to 'Downton Abbey'.

The final episode of the show aired on Christmas Day last year, and Laura Carmichael said she was more than thrilled with the win.

Struggling to hold back tears, Laura said: "It's been the most incredible six years so thank you for coming with us on the journey."

Writer Julian Fellowes added: "I love happy endings and this is a very happy ending, thank you!"

The Entertainment gong was presented by Lee Mack and unsurprisingly won by Ant and Dec for 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'

The duo have won 21 times over the past 14 years, and Dec told the crowd: "We have the best time doing this show. We'd like to thank all the vain old goats for doing it and the chippy oiks that voted!"

Contestants Vicky Pattison, Ferne McCann and George Shelley were all present for the awards, and George told BANG Showbiz that one of the biggest fans of the programme is his mother: "My mum was won over by everyone in the jungle. She really loves Lady C [Colin Campbell] as well."

The award for serial drama performance was presented by 'EastEnders' stars Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace, and was taken home by their co-star Danny Dyer.

Clearly slightly tipsy, Danny referenced the other nominees, and then added: "I want to thank my mum and dad for having a rollabout in 1977 and conceiving me."

Radio 1 DJ Greg James took to the stage to present the gong for comedy to 'Peter Kay's Car Share'.

Accepting his award, Peter dedicated it to his "comedy hero" Billy Connolly, saying: "I've just decided on a whim to do that and he's looking at me like I've got two heads."

Asking what he then had to do with the prize, Peter told Billy: "I'm dedicating it to him but I'm going to keep it because I've never won one of these before!"

The Impact Award was given to Aidan Turner for his role in 'Poldark', which has seen him win millions of fans worldwide.

He said: "Thanks you, I'm slightly confused. I didn't know I was nominated for this award but thank you!"

'The Great British Bake Off' winner Nadiya presented the award for Live Magazine Show, with Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes taking to the stage to accept the award among other members of the cast and crew.

Phillip said: "That's an amazing category to be in so we are so pleased."

Holly added: "I didn't think we'd got it. To win this again is so fantastic. We are a real family at 'This Morning' and thank you to all of you for voting - we consider you our extended family!"

The Newcomer award was presented by Rylan Clark, and won by former 'The X Factor' contestant Shayne Ward for his role on 'Coronation Street'.

Clearly overwhelmed, Shayne told the crowd: "This is an incredible;e moment for me. Who would have thought a singer from 'The X Factor' could be on an amazing show like 'Coronation Street'. I'd like to thank the whole cast and crew for really welcoming me into your family."

A musical interlude was provided by Fleur East, who looked incredible in a royal blue trouser suit and black crop top as she performed her new single.

Maisie Williams was next up to present the award for New Drama to 'Doctor Foster'. Suranne Jones had debuted her baby bump on the red carpet at the ceremony earlier in the evening, and looked stunning as she walked up to the stage to accept the prize.

Her co-star Bertie Carvel joked that he was looking for snipers in the audience after his role as a cheating husband caused him to become one of the most hated men in Britain.

Suranne added: "Thank you for voting for us. We start filming 'Doctor Foster' series two in September and we are excited to see what happens."

'Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid presented the award for Daytime, and Piers joked that the microphones had been customised for diminutive presenters Ant and Dec's heights.

'The Chase', hosted by Bradley Walsh, took home the gong, with Bradley telling the crowd: "We are thrilled with this. Thank you very much for voting with it, we really appreciate it."

Next up was Boy George who presented the TV Presenter of the Year gong,to Ant and Dec.

'First Dates' Maitre d' Fred Sirieix was next up to present the International award to 'The Big Bang Theory', with the cast sending a thank you message as filming obligations meant they were unable to attend.

The Special Recognition award was presented by Dustin Hoffman, who is a close personal friend of Billy Connolly and flew in specially for the occasion.

Looking overwhelmed by the crowd's standing ovation for him, Billy said: "It has been a grand old rock and roll all the way!"

James Nesbitt was next up to present the gong for Drama Performance, which was won by Suranne Jones for 'Doctor Foster'.

She told the audience: "Thank you so much. I'm so thrilled. I should be at an antenatal class with my husband and we didn't go so if anyone from the class wants to email me on how to give birth and tips on labour that would be great!"

TV chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver then took to the stage to present the award for Factual Entertainment to 'Gogglebox'.

The Siddiqui family collected the prize and joked: "We just sit at home and watch TV so to be here in front of you guys is incredible!"

One of the night's biggest awards of the evening was that for Serial Drama, with Ian Lavender and Blake Harrison presenting the gong - the original Pike from 'Dad's Army' and the new one from the upcoming movie adaptation.

The prize went to 'EastEnders' with several members of the cast taking to the stage to pick up the award.

Kellie Bright said of the honour: "I'm so happy that we've won but now I've actually got to speak and I've got a horrible cold! We've had a massive year, the 30th anniversary, the live week back in February and everybody involved in the show works so, so hard."

The final award of the evening was for Best Talent Show, presented by Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp and Tony Hadley to 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Host Tess Daly said: "Thank you so much to every single person who took the time and the trouble to vote for us. Strictly would't be the show that it is if you weren't watching. I want to thank the wonderful Claudia [Winkleman] - she couldn't be with us tonight because she's working but we love you Claude!"

The National Television Awards 2016 winners

Challenge Show - 'The Great British Bake Off'

Drama - 'Downton Abbey'

Entertainment - 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'

Serial Drama Performance - Danny Dyer, 'EastEnders'

Comedy - 'Peter Kay's Car Share'

Impact Award - Aidan Turner, 'Poldark' '

Live Magazine Show - 'This Morning'

Newcomer - Shayne Ward, 'Coronation Street'

New Drama - 'Doctor Foster'

Daytime - 'The Chase'

TV Presenter of the Year - Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly