NTAs: This Morning booed as award announced

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This year’s National Television Awards (NTAs) took place at the Wembley Arena after the ceremony was delayed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Some of British TV’s top stars were in attendance with This Morning once again coming out on top in the Daytime category, beating off stiff competition from ITV rivals Good Morning Britain. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield went up to accept the accolade with many other members of the team taking to the stage including presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, who host on Fridays.

Speaking to media including Express.co.uk, Phillip Schofield paid tribute to This Morning viewers: “We wouldn’t want anyone to think we ever – after all this time – that we ever get complacent, that we ever take this for granted. 

“Every single year it means the world to us. But more importantly, to the team behind us. 

“We are a tight-knit ship. We love each other. We always have each other’s backs and I’m so proud of our team, who work everyday to put that show on the air. 

He added: “So, I just said thank you because I never take it for granted.”

While Holly Willoughby was left emotional by the win said: “A big thank you. If you looked on stage tonight, you could see how incredible our team is.”

She went on to say: “Some of the team were in the audience and we could see the lights on their phone and so many more at home. It’s such a small representation of such a massive team.

“And this is so, so important to us because it’s voted for by our viewers and we’ve always had a very special relationship with our viewers. 

“They tell us what they want and This Morning listens to that, and it changes over the years and it continues to change and progress and we’re so proud to be part of something so big.”

Holly continued: “It is a big night and you don’t take ever take it for granted.” 

Their words come after viewers were left outraged last month when it appeared the presenting duo had seemingly skipped the queue to see the Queen lying in state while members of the public queued for hours and overnight to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

While the pair didn’t make reference the furore, there was a smattering of boos after Holly and Phil found out This Morning had won the NTAs with viewers watching at home appearing to pick up on it.

Following the public backlash and even a petition calling for the two presenters to leave This Morning, Phil and Holly made a statement to explain what had happened. 

The statement read by Holly said: “As broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall.

“It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person. The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to the platform at the back.

“Those paying respects moved along a carpeted area alongside the coffin and were given time to pause. None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one filed past the queen.

“We of course respected those rules however we realise it may have looked like something else and completely understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump the queue.”

Although Alison missed out on Best Presenter award, with Ant and Dec winning for the 21st time, she said the This Morning victory went some way to make up for the loss. 

Geordie hosting duo Ant and Dec sadly couldn’t attend the award ceremony after they both tested positive for Covid and pulled out at the last minute.

Stephen Mulhern went up to collect the award on their behalf and shared an update on the pair. 

Some of the other big winners last night were Kate Garraway, action drama Trigger Point, Strictly Come Dancing, and Emmerdale.

This Morning airs on ITV on weekdays at 10am

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