EAMONN HOLMES
1995 MICHAEL BARRYMORE COMES OUT
Not only did Strike It Lucky’s Barrymore win the most awards at the first ceremony, he also grabbed headlines by coming out during his acceptance speech on live TV – in front of his wife Cheryl. “I thank you for being my kind of people and I hope you will allow me to live my kind of life,” he told millions of viewers.
The first NTAs were all about him. It didn’t come as a surprise to most of us in the industry, but they were less tolerant times and he was sailing close to the wind on whether he could bring the audience with him or not. It was a very brave thing to do, and it didn’t affect his popularity. 2001 HONOURING THE 9/11 FIREFIGHTERS
The seventh NTAs were just six weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks that left the world in shock.
New York fire chiefs Richard Blatus and Jim Yakimovich, left, were welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation that lasted two minutes and 24 seconds – the longest in the ceremony’s history. Eamonn says: It was highly emotional. The NTAs are about how TV reaches and touches all of us. The 9/11 attacks were a television event. Most people will never see a more significant or shocking event on live television. To this day people will remember where they were the moment those planes struck the twin towers. 2001 JUDY FINNIGAN’S WARDROBE MALFUNCTION
Judy flashing her bra live on TV has gone down in showbiz history. Both she and husband Richard Madeley were unaware her top had popped open until colleague John Leslie rushed on stage to point out the, um, boob.
Eamonn says: That was the most stunning piece of television. Any programme being live always gives it an edge, and anything can happen, and in this case it did.
Although terribly embarrassing, it was incredibly funny. No one could believe their eyes. TV’s supposed to be an eyeful but in that case it was a double dose! I would have paid good money to see something like that happen to Ruth.
2008 DAVID TENNANT ANNOUNCES HE IS LEAVING DOCTOR WHO
Actor David received his award for Best Drama Performance via videolink during the interval of his play Hamlet. Then he shocked fans, revealing: “When Doctor Who returns in 2010, it won’t be with me.” Eamonn remembers: Among the audience there was a palpable intake of breath. It was a mega announcement and significant that he saved it for the NTAs. David was an incredibly popular Doctor Who who breathed life into the drama. You just couldn’t imagine anyone else doing it. It was another moment that stole the headlines.
2011 CORRIE’S JACK SHEPHERD IS UNABLE TO HIDE HIS DISGUST AT EASTENDERS’ WIN
While most who lose out on an award still manage to clap enthusiastically for the winner, Coronation Street’s Jack Shepherd, who plays bad boy David Platt, couldn’t hid his dismay as EastEnders won Best Serial Drama.
Eamonn says: The soap awards are always the most eagerly contested and passions run high.
I can understand it. What I don’t understand are the people who are way too gracious and say, ‘it’s OK, they were better than us’.
The NTAs are the equivalent to the FA Cup final for the soaps, and it’s lovely to see how much it means to them.
And boy, do they celebrate when they win.