The stars were out in force last night but on this occassion the phenomenon had little to do with Brian Cox. In fact we didn’t even see Cox and his luscious mop at the 17th Annual National Television Awards which were held at the vast 02 arena last night.
Dermot O’Leary hosted as the winners of 14 categories celebrating the best and biggest of TV entertainment collected their gongs.
Ant and Dec won the coveted Entertainment Presenter award for the 11th year in a row â fact â and Doctor Who stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan both picked up Drama Performance gongs.
And, of course, Jonathan Ross picked up the Special Recognition Award (sponsored by Andrew Sachs) for services to television. He has been in the business for 25 years and had the like of Graham Norton and Jack Dee singing his praises. Shame that Bruce could barely get over himself long ewnough to present the award, providing plenty of slapstick relief in the run-up to the presentation by feigning that a microphone hit him in the eye. Bloody hell Bruce.
We are still waiting for all the best pictures to emerge…Roy Cropper dancing on the table, David Walliams seducing Barbara Windsor etc. But for now just occupy yourselves with a look at who won what and our thoughts on the matter….feel free to add you own if you think an OUTRAGEOUS decision was made.
Best Talk Show
And the winner isâ¦Alan Carr: Chatty Man
OTB verdict: This bespectacled funny-man has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and has really found his stride as professional gossip-mongerer. We love the fact that his relaxed chat show vibe makes celebrities reveal those all-important extra juicy details, with the help of a bottle of Lambrini or two.
Best Drama
And the winner isâ¦Downton Abbey
OTB verdict: Despite strong competition from the likes of Doctor Who and last yearâs winner, Waterloo Road, this was always a one-horse race. Fellowes gets his hands on yet MORE trophy-shaped bling to cram into his bulging cupboards.
Best Reality TV Show
And the winner is⦠I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
OTB verdict: We canât help feeling a teeny weeny bit sorry for the axed TOWIE gang members who are unlikely to experience TV award-winnning again. But hoorah for the jungle! The combination of Mark Wright, Anthony Cotton and Fatima Whitbread made 2011 a year to remember.
Best Talent Show
And the winner isâ¦The X Factor
OTB verdict: Bruce looked like he had been trampled on like one of Frankie Cocozzaâs used fag butts when this result was announced (highlight of the evening?), and later complained that Strictly Come Dancing is ânot a talent showâ?. Ratings may have been the worst ever for the X Factor this year but there are still plenty of screaming fans left to vote for the show. Voting without REALLY considering the consequences is, after all, what X Factor viewers do bestâ¦
Best Entertainment Presenter (otherwise known as ‘The Ant & Dec Award’)
And the winner isâ¦Ant & Dec
OTB verdict: It simply would not be a viewer-voted awards ceremony without these two lil cherubs collecting a trophy. Their work continues to be appreciated by millions of viewers but as a punishment for saying âyesâ? to Red Or Black?, we would have quite liked Keith Lemon to collect this yearâs award instead. Watching the Geordie bookends being beaten by essentially a fictional presenter would have been very rewarding.
Best Entertainment Programme
And the winner is⦠Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow
OTB verdict: Now that Harry Hill has announced that his TV Burp-ing will come to an end, a well-timed NTA would have felt like a fitting tribute to his hard work. Paddy never stood a chance (as much as we loved the sexy romp scandal) and 2011 really has been the year of Michael McIntyre. Now let that be an end to it.
Best Panel Gameshow
And the winner isâ¦Celebrity Juice
OTB verdict: YES! Keith Lemon triumphs. The tirelessly cynical/ego-boosting testosterone fest that is Mock The Week has had its day. Drink that Celebrity Juice down Frankie Boyle. Tastes bad doesnât it? But the public love it.
Best Situation Comedy
And the winner is⦠Outnumbered
OTB verdict: Now that Miranda Hart is a âseriousâ? actress, we are glad she didnât win an award for her daft sitcom. Outnumbered has proven to be an extraordinarily popular and funny programme which, although having already bagged several awards over the last year or so, deserves all the praise it gets.
Best Serial Drama
And the winner is⦠Coronation Street
OTB verdict: Take that Eastenders! After facing criticism for the amount of âgayâ? content and its âimplausibleâ? storylines, the cobbles have finally triumphed over the Square. This brings the score chart a touch more equal at 7 wins to Corrie, 10 to Eastenders. Letâs see if they can pull it off again next year, without Beckyâ¦sorry, there were other nominees? Hollyoaks? No, thatâs always been terrible.
Best Drama Performance – Male
And the winner isâ¦Matt Smith – Doctor Who
OTB verdict: This angular-jawed thesp has already garnered plenty of praise for his portrayal of the Time Lord but what’s a little NTA between friends? Martin Clunes has had his day collecting awards and making speeches so it’s rather nice to see Mr Smith honoured by the fans in this way. Shame that Shameless actor David Threlfall wasn’t recognised though; One of the more off-beat shows recognised by this year’s list and a great actor to boot.
Best Drama Performance – Female
And the winner is⦠Karen Gillan – Doctor Who
OTB verdict: A great night for Doctor Who and it feels fitting that, for a show whose fans are among the most enthusiastic in the trade, it received so many viewer-voted accolades. Well done Karen, the best of the shortlist and a worthy winner.
Best Serial Drama Performance
And the winner isâ¦Katherine Kelly – Coronation Street
OTB verdict: Jessie Wallace has returned with incredible gusto to her role as Kat Slater but Katherine Kelly was always the right choice for this category. Her departure from the street after five years as a rabble-rousing resident left a gaping hole in fans’ hearts. An incredible actress and a great personality lost from the soap. She will be missed…but well done Becky, I mean Katherine.
Best Newcomer
And the winner is⦠Jacqueline Jossa – EastEnders
OTB verdict: She may pla a bit of a po-faced teen type but young Jacqueline is a rising star who is worth keeping an eye on, make no mistake. Her portrayal of Lauren’s drinking problems in the East end soap has worn her plenty of praise from the critics, but obviously the viewers love her too. A fantastic winner.
Best Factual
And the winner is⦠This Morning
OTB verdict: Everyone loves a bit of Holly and Phil…but Best Factual programme? WTF? Surely even Karl Pilkington on his gormless travels deserved something over This Morning. And what about My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding?! Have you lot forgotten what our lives were like before we met Paddy Doherty?
