Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have spoken out following their loss at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night, sharing their thoughts on the winner. The renowned presenting duo, known for hosting popular shows like I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway, saw their impressive 23-year winning streak come to an end at The O2 Arena as Gary Lineker snagged the Best Presenter award.
Gary Lineker, the former Match of the Day host, clinched the fan-voted accolade shortly after departing from the BBC show in May due to a controversy surrounding a social media post about Zionism.
While Ant and Dec missed out on the top award, they did not leave empty-handed as I’m A Celebrity secured the title of Best Reality Competition, triumphing over contenders like The Traitors and Love Island.
The Geordie duo, who some speculate were informed about Gary’s victory beforehand, took to their Instagram Stories from sunny South Africa to express gratitude for the support received for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! at the NTAs. Despite falling short in the Best Presenter category, they graciously acknowledged Gary Lineker’s win, referring to him as an “up-and-coming new guy” at the age of 64.
Dec commended Gary’s moving acceptance speech, while Ant echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the deserving nature of Lineker’s win. Gary, known for his advocacy for Palestine, highlighted the importance of using one’s platform to speak up for the voiceless during his acceptance speech.
In response to questions during the winner’s press conference, Gary praised Ant and Dec, considering it an honor to follow in their footsteps. He shared his excitement for upcoming projects, including a new show for ITV called The Box, set to be filmed next week.
When asked about his win in relation to cancellation concerns, Gary dismissed any doubts, stating that the notion of being canceled was never a genuine worry for him and was merely a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved.
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