TV LUVVIES SNUB ANT & DEC
First time in 9 years they’re not up for gong
KINGS of telly Ant and Dec have been snubbed by “diverse luvvies” at a big TV awards show.
For the first time since 2010, the Geordie duo have failed to be nominated for a gong at the Royal Television Society annual awards night.
It will be a big shock for the pair, who have either won or been shortlisted for a trophy at the glitzy
bash for the last eight years. The pair are missing from the shortlist in the best entertainment performance category, which they have been nominated for eight times in the past and won five times.
In their place Channel 4’s Big Narstie & Mo Gilligan, ITV Voice coach Jennifer Hudson and BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Big Show will fight it out.
The snub may be down to a shake-up on the judging panel. RTS bosses say the jury – made up of industry experts and professionals rather than viewers – represents Britain’s racial diversity.
Its chief executive Theresa Wise boasted that it comprised 29% black, Asian and ethnic minority voters, and 56% were women. She said: “The awards list is quite simply the most diverse ever.”
Ant and Dec’s snub could also have been influenced by Ant McPartlin’s absence from screens for most of 2018 to focus on his health.
But the Geordie pair still won best presenter – for the 18th year in a row – at the recent National TV Awards, voted for by the public. They are not the only big names missing from the list of nominees.
The X Factor and Strictly failed to get a nomination for best entertainment show.
Instead, ITV2’s rap and hip hop show Don’t Hate The Playaz is up for the gong.
The BBC smash hit Bodyguard does not get a mention for best drama, and its stars Keeley Hawes and Richard Madden are also snubbed in best actor and best actress category.
EastEnders and Emmerdale also miss out in best continuing drama.