OK! PARTIES WITH THE STARS AT THIS YEAR'S NTAS

WE HEAD BACKSTAGE AT THE BIGGEST NIGHT ON THE BOX, AS OUR FAVOURITE FACES CELEBRATE THEIR NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS SUCCESS

- KENZI DEVINE

It’s renowned as one of the biggest, booziest nights in showbiz and this year’s National Television Awards certainly didn’t disappoint.

Oozing glamour, telly favourites including Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Michelle Keegan lit up the red carpet, while host with the most Joel Dommett once again presided over the event, held at London’s O2 Arena and sponsored by OK! Magazine.

After battling through the most turbulent six months of her career, This Morning star Holly turned heads in a jaw-dropping lilac Suzanne Neville gown, which she accessorised with a sparkling Mappin & Webb necklace.

The presenter seemed keen to brush off the recent controversy surrounding her former co-host, Phillip Schofield, who sensationally stepped down from his role in May after admitting to a secret affair with a young production runner.

Stopping to chat with OK!, Holly, 42, addressed the furore over Phil’s departure, saying she was grateful for the support of her friends, co-stars and This Morning’s fans.

“This last year has been quite difficult at times,” she said. “You know, if I’m really honest, it’s been up and down. I think it’s been a really difficult year for everybody, but what’s lovely is you find that people rally around you and, you know, the goodwill is there.”

The star, who was attending the bash without Phillip by her side for the first time, continued, “I know there’s been lots of reports about things and for me personally, I don’t want to speak on behalf of other people, but it’s a world I honestly don’t recognise.