Britain’s greatest silver screen personalities gathered at London’s O2 arena on Wednesday night to celebrate the best of the UK’s talent at the National Television Awards (NTA).
However, one could not help but notice that “X Factor” fever was all around.
It was the charming Dermot O’Leary who presented the NTA’s 15th ceremony, taking over from Sir Trevor McDonald who had hosted the show ever since it began.
But within minutes of the show beginning, last year’s “X Factor” winner, Joe McElderry, was brought on stage to perform the rock classic “Don’t Stop Believing”.
Soon after O’Leary, whose day job is presenting the “X Factor”, confirmed that the controversial duo known as “Jedward” would be taking to the stage later on in the evening. The anticipation for this spectacle took attention away from the nominees.
Twins John and Edward jumped around the stage singing their new single “Under Pressure”, joined by Vanilla Ice, the original artist of the rap section that features half-way through the duo’s song.
Though their mentor Louis Walsh was absent, the three other “X Factor” judges accepted the award for most popular talent show, after beating rivals “Strictly Come Dancing”, “Dancing on Ice” and “Britain’s Got Talent”.
Simon Cowell took to the microphone first, taunting “Strictly Come Dancing” by saying to the award’s presenter and ex-Strictly judge, Arlene Phillips: “There’s a certain irony to this. You were on last year, you win. You’re off, you lose. That’s show business.”
There were three cases of double winners. Geordie presenters Ant and Dec won two awards for the ninth season of their “Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway”.
The pair won for the most popular entertainment programme and the best entertainment presenters, the ninth time they have won the latter award. Dec said: “We’re so honoured and so touched that you still think we’re worthy of receiving this one.”
David Tennant, who was recently voted the most popular Dr. Who, won an award with that show for best drama and, as an individual, best drama performance. The second award was presented by Sarah Brown, who thanked “the British heroes at home who responded with such compassion and generosity” following the recent earthquake near Haiti.
Tennant, who left the series last year, said: “The whole thing [Dr. Who] exceeded my expectations.” He also showed support for his successor, Matt Smith, by calling him “brilliantly skilful” and that “The great joy… is that the show goes on now.”
It was television’s quintessential Englishman, Stephen Fry, who won the best star travel documentary award for “Stephen Fry in America”, as well as the prestigious special recognition award.
Fry said he felt “completely staggered” and “so unworthy” of being given the ultimate tribute.
Other winners included “Gavin and Stacey” for most popular comedy show, Lacey Turner for most popular serial performer as Stacey Slater in “Eastenders”, and “Loose Women” for the most popular factual programme.
Joe McElderry returned to the stage to present the last and most awaited award of the night for the best serial drama to “Coronation Street”. The show beat “Eastenders”, “Emmerdale” and “Hollyoaks”.
It was the fifth time the show had won the award and it came in perfect time to help celebrate the soap’s 50th year as one of the best-loved programmes on British television.
Do not understand the Jedward thing; they mimed the parts where singing was involved and the rapping was out of tune. What is sensational about jumping around the public?
Hi Remko, thanks for your comment. For some reason that’s considered entertaining nowadays. We’d rather see overnight popstars who crave the fame than genuine talent. But, as Cowell said: “That’s show business!”