AN EVENTFUL EVENING - EMOTIONS RUN HIGH AT TV'S BIG NIGHT

THERE WERE GAFFES AND TEARS AS WELL AS A MIXED REACTION TO HOLLY AND PHIL'S WIN AT THE NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS

- GEMMA McCARTNEY

The National Television Awards deserved its own gong last week after serving up a night of scandal, gaffes and swipes. But there were also plenty of heartwarming and moving moments as the stars flocked to Wembley to celebrate a year of exceptional telly.

All eyes were on Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield as they hit the red carpet for the first time since the queuegate scandal erupted. They were shaken after 70,000 people signed a petition to sack them after they were accused of jumping the line to see Her Majesty lying in state.

And while This Morning picked up the gong for Best Daytime Show, the win drew a mixed reaction from the crowd – and a chorus of boos could be heard as Holly, 41, and Phil, 60, accepted it.

However, clearly grateful, they expressed their joy that the public had backed the show. “Please don’t ever think we get complacent,” Phil told viewers. “Please don’t think we ever take this for granted. This means so much for us, every year, especially this year. I have the best friend and the best boss.”

Another awkward moment came when Challenge Anneka presenter Anneka Rice, 64, accidentally announced the wrong winner for the Quiz Game Show category. In a scene resembling the Best Picture mishap at the 2017 Oscars, Anneka told the audience The 1% Club had won before confirming it was actually Beat The Chasers.

And while it was no shock I’m A Celeb bagged The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, what was baffling was a peculiar swipe at Stephen Mulhern from 2021’s King of the Castle Danny Miller, who accepted the gong.