By Lisa-Marie Burrows
London came alive on Wednesday night for the National Television Awards.
The red carpet was swamped with the stars from the small screen, all looking fabulous in their beautiful dresses and suits. Naomi Campbell, Danny Dyer, Olivia Coleman, Kiefer Sutherland, Ricky Gervais, Graham Norton, Keith Lemon, Ant and Dec, the cast of the soap powerhouses Coronation Street, Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale turned up in style and even a bowing penguin in a bowtie made an appearance at the awards!
The delectable host Dermot O’Leary was on top form throughout the awards ceremony – as always he was as cool as a cucumber and enjoying every minute.
The luscious tones of Michael Bolton opened up the show with a great duet with X Factor 2014 winner, Sam Bailey singing the classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” If you missed their fabulous duet, watch it here:
Abbey Clancy, winner of Strictly Come Dancing performed on stage looking every bit the professional. A shocked Paul O’Grady, who barely had chance to take his seat, won the first award for Factual Entertainment and unsurprisingly, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here scooped the gong in the Best Entertainment Category.
The Doctor Who crew had a very successful evening winning the Best Drama award and Matt Smith was voted the winner for the Best Drama Performance in Doctor Who. He was not in attendance as he is treading the boards in the West End, but he did leave a special message for his voters:
Coronation Street had a good night topping the voting list against Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, edging out the win in the Best Drama category. A great win for The Cobbles in the battle of the soaps after 53 years of broadcasting.
There were no surprises for the Best Serial Drama award as Julie Hesmondhalgh was crowned the worthy winner for her emotional performance in Coronation Street. Her portrayal of Hayley Cropper made the nation shed so many tears during her character’s onscreen battle against cancer and especially during her emotional exit. Julie was very honoured to receive the award:
After a cracking 15 million viewers on Christmas Day, Mrs Brown’s Boys came up trumps for the second year in a row collecting the Comedy award for all of the laughs, giggles and hysterical jokes it provides the audience. All of the cast and crew went up on the stage – and there were so many of them, there was no space for anymore!
Kiefer Sutherland presented the new award for Radio Times Best TV Detective – a category jam-packed with so many worthy contenders, but the award went to Benedict Cumberbatch for his performance as Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately for his many fans, he was unable to attend, but he spoke live from LA to thank the voters for the award – whilst wearing a suit on top and RED SHORTS on the bottom! If you missed the chance to see the detective flashing his legs, here is his acceptance speech:
http://youtu.be/1BGGyKDNiRw
In the battle of the reality TV shows, it was Strictly Come Dancing who won the Talent Award for the second year in a row, beating popular shows like Britain’s Got Talent and Dancing on Ice.
The nation’s favourite presenting duo, Ant and Dec, were once again multiple winners at the awards ceremony. I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here won the Best Entertainment, award, the double act were crowned winners in the Entertainment Presenters category and even HRH Prince Charles is a fan! He wrote a special note of appreciation for the pair and their charity efforts and was delighted to hear they received the Landmark award. About time too!
Congratulations to the loveable twosome for their 25 years of entertaining work and we are all looking forward to what they bring in the next 25 years – and hopefully more onstage selfies!
Here is a complete list of the winners:
FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT:
Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME:
I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!
ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTERS:
Ant & Dec
BEST DOCUMENTARY SERIES:
Educating Yorkshire
NEWCOMER:
Khali Best (EASTENDERS)
BEST SERIAL DRAMA:
Coronation Street
DRAMA PERFORMANCE:
Matt Smith (DOCTOR WHO)
SERIAL DRAMA PERFORMANCE:
Julie Hesmondhalgh (CORONATION STREET)
DRAMA:
Doctor Who
BEST DAYTIME TELEVISION AWARD:
This Morning
COMEDY:
Mrs Brown’s Boys
RADIO TIMES TV DETECTIVE AWARD:
Benedict Cumberbatch (SHERLOCK HOLMES)
LANDMARK AWARD:
Ant & Dec
TALENT SHOW:
Strictly Come Dancing
What was your favourite moment of the awards? Leave your thoughts below:
