FOR AWARDS NIGHT BATTLE AS STARS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD
WHO’S UP: Ant & Dec could win yet another NTA for Saturday Night Takeaway in this category. The show is nominated alongside Celebrity Juice, The Graham Norton Show and The Last Leg. 2016 WINNER: I’m A Celebrity ED’S TIP: Ant & Dec are firm favourites with telly fans who vote for the NTAs. And last year Saturday Night Takeaway was better than ever. DERMOT O’Lear y just can’t wait to host this year’s National TV Awards.
Even though it will be his eighth year as compere of the glitzy live show, he’s still up for it.
With some of telly’s wackiest stars hitting the stage, anything could happen.
Dermot told the Daily Star Sunday: “It’s brilliant that it’s so unpredictable.
“The show is a few hours long and you never know where you are.
“It’s like being a conductor on a runaway train.”
Stars from the biggest shows on TV are jetting in from around the world to be at the awards ceremony at London’s O2 Arena.
The red carpet they will walk down is longer than Nelson’s Column at an impressive 63.5m. And bosses have convinced ex-Labour man Ed Balls to film a mock political party broadcast urging fans to vote for their favourite shows. The shortlist has been announced for 15 categories with shows including Gogglebox, I’m A Celebrity and Strictly all up for the big prizes. We’ll find out which soap comes out on top, who is named the best talent show judge and see if Ant & Dec can nab the presenters award for a 16th successive year. There is also a new award this year for TV’s WHO’S UP: Tom Hiddleston became TV’s hottest hunk thanks to his role in The Night Manager. His performance has landed him a place on the shortlist alongside Victoria star Jenna Coleman, Happy Valley’s Sarah Lancashire and Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy. 2016 WINNER: Suranne Jones ED’S TIP: The Night Manager was fantastic telly and Tom was superb. Expect a win for him. WHO’S UP: This Morning will be fighting to retain its title after being shortlisted alongside Sunday Brunch and Loose Women. BBC Breakfast and The One Show are also up. 2016 WINNER: This Morning ED’S TIP: This Morning doesn’t hold back when it comes to reminding its viewers to vote. And the show is as popular as ever. leading period drama. Revealing his favourite show, Dermot said: “My TV pleasure is box sets – I love catchup TV. The Crown is amazing.”
The annual Special Recognition award will also be dished out on the night but bosses are staying tightlipped on who will get it.
Last year legendary comedian and actor Billy Connolly took it home with him.
Dermot said: “It was one of my favourite moments from hosting the NTAs when Billy was getting his award.
“He had Dustin Hoffman coming on to give it. That was so moving.”
This year’s bash will be on Burns Night so organisers have called on bagpiper Louise Mitchell to open the proceedings.
And the Scottish theme will continue at the glitzy official afterparty when the celebrities will munch on haggis with neeps and tatties as well as Scottish berry brulee.
You can see the awards live on ITV at 7.30pm on Wednesday.
There is still time to vote for your favourite shows. Pick your favourites at nationaltvawards.com. WHO’S UP: Ant & Dec have won this award for the past 15 years but their winning streak could be stopped by Bake Off double act Mel and Sue. Rylan Clark-Neal, James Corden and Gary Lineker are also shortlisted. 2016 WINNER: Ant & Dec ED’S TIP: It doesn’t take a telly expert to know Ant & Dec will walk away with this award…again. WHO’S UP: Emmerdale stars Natalie J Robb and Danny Miller will be rivals after being nominated for this award. They face competition from Corrie’s Jack P Shepherd and EastEnders’ Lacey Turner. 2016 WINNER: Danny Dyer ED’S TIP: Danny Miller has put in some amazing performances over the past year so he’d be a deserving winner. WHO’S UP: It’s the battle of the babes as EastEnders’ actress Tilly Keeper and Corrie’s Faye Brookes fight it out for this one. Also up are Duncan James for Hollyoaks and Lloyd Everitt for Casualty. 2016 WINNER: Shayne Ward ED’S TIP: Tilly has made a massive impact in Albert Square as feisty Louise Mitchell so I’m predicting she’ll clinch it. WHO’S UP: David Walliams and Simon Cowell square up for the biggest fight of the night. They are nominated alongside Nicole Scherzinger, Len Goodman and Bake Off’s Mary Berry. ED’S TIP: It’s a tough one to call. David won two years ago and Mary Berry judges on TV’s most-watched show. But I think Len Goodman is most likely to nab it following his departure from Strictly after more than a decade on the panel.