Puttin' on the GLITZ!

JOEL DOMMETT on the joys of hosting the starriest night of the TV calendar

- STEVEN PERKINS

NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS
WEDNESDAY, 8PM, ITV1 AWARDS

Spending the night working when everyone else is at a party might not sound like much fun. But if you’re Joel Dommett and the job is hosting the National Television Awards live on ITV1, it’s a dream scenario!

‘I feel very lucky to be invited back,’ grins The Masked Singer presenter, 39, as TV Times joins him for an exclusive interview ahead of his fourth stint at the helm of the annual ceremony. ‘I think it means I’m reliable – that’s something I’ve never been called in my life, but I’ll happily take it!’

The star-spangled event, which will again be held at London’s O2, is set to be another busy evening for Joel, who became a father in September 2023 when his wife, model Hannah Cooper-Dommett, gave birth to their son, Wilde. But as we get chatting, here, he assures us that he wouldn’t want things any other way…

What do you love most about hosting the NTAs, Joel?

It’s an opportunity to get everyone together and celebrate great TV, and I really think this has been an amazing year for television.

One of the biggest moments for me is when we go to an ad break and I can take it all in and look at everyone in the room. It blows my mind that I’m in this position!

Do you get nervous before the ceremony starts?

I do, but I try not to let it affect me. The NTAs take so much preparation in terms of the script and rehearsals that once the night actually comes, it’s a bit of a relief, really.

As soon as someone goes, ‘And we are live!’ the train is going and there’s no stopping it. That is so fun for me, because I love doing live telly.

So, which of this year’s nominated shows have you enjoyed watching?