Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly ended their 23-year winning streak at the National Television Awards last night. The duo had been victorious at the annual TV event for over two decades, with competitors resigning themselves to losing to the popular hosts of Saturday Night Takeaway. However, Gary Lineker emerged as the new winner at this year’s ceremony, bringing an end to Ant and Dec’s long reign.
Other nominees included Stacey Solomon, Alison Hammond, and Claudia Winkleman. Gary’s win, which occurred shortly after his departure from BBC’s Match Of The Day in May, was met with humor as he jokingly referred to it as the “Ant and Dec trophy” during his acceptance speech. Interestingly, Ant and Dec were not present at the event, as they were in South Africa discussing the possibility of not winning the award.
In a social media post, Dec expressed gratitude to the fans for their votes, acknowledging that the outcome was now out of their hands. He mentioned that they appreciated the support despite not being able to attend the ceremony. Addressing the uncertainty of the situation, Dec mentioned that they would be eagerly awaiting the results.
Gary Lineker, reflecting on his win and future plans, expressed uncertainty about his next steps. He highlighted his excitement to collaborate with ITV and run his podcast business, reminiscing about his time at the BBC. Despite past controversies, Gary emphasized the importance of sharing opinions and standing up for those without a voice.
Before his victory, Gary received support from his podcast colleague Alan Shearer. Although some expected Shearer to support his fellow Geordies, he reportedly voted for Gary instead. The podcast conversation revealed Gary’s initial skepticism about winning the award, jokingly referring to it as the “Ant and Dec award.” However, Shearer’s vote came as a surprise, showing his support for Gary.
The story of the National Television Awards’ unexpected outcome and the humorous exchanges among the winners added a touch of camaraderie and light-heartedness to the event, showcasing the dynamic nature of the entertainment industry.