National Television Awards
Joel Dommett on hosting British TV’S biggest night of the year live from Wembley Arena…
Thursday, 8pm, ITV Awards
Joel Dommett hosts the NTAS once again, this year coming live from Wembley Arena in London. There are some hot contests this time, especially for New Drama, where This Is Going to Hurt is pitted against Heartstopper, Time and Trigger Point, while Returning Drama sees Bridgerton take on Call the Midwife, The Split and Peaky Blinders. The soaps have plenty of nominations, with Paige Sandhu (Emmerdale’s Meena), Gillian Wright
(Jean in Eastenders) and Paddy Bever (Corrie’s Max) among those who
are up for gongs.
Q Last year was your first time hosting the NTAS. Did you enjoy yourself?
A I kind of blacked out – I can’t remember much of it! It was an honour to be asked and now I’ve got my foot in the door, hopefully I can give everyone more of the same and take things a bit further this year. It’s going to be a fun night!
Q Is there any backstage gossip from last year you can share with us?
A No one was allowed backstage last year due to COVID-19 and I was sitting alone in my dressing room beforehand. Someone who works at The O2 said it was the least amount of people they’ve ever seen in the dressing room. They’re used to having pop stars in there with enormous entourages!
Q Which shows have you enjoyed this year?
A I really enjoyed the BBC1 medical drama This Is Going to Hurt. It was tough viewing at times, but so powerful. Netflix’s Heartstopper was great as well. My favourite moment had to be the England women’s football team winning Euro 2022, though – I’m hoping we’ll have some Lionesses joining us on the night!
Q Do you have a favourite NTAS category?
A The Authored Documentary category was new last year, but has become a really important part of the awards. Inside My Head, the film by The Wanted singer Tom Parker, who died of a brain tumour, was so moving. We’d been through a brain-tumour experience in the last few years [Joel’s wife Hannah’s mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago]. We were lucky to hold on to Hannah’s mum, but it felt very close to home.
Q What other categories will you be keeping an eye on?
A Returning Drama is always a really strong one. The Split and Peaky Blinders did their final series and will be up against Call the Midwife and Bridgerton. I’ve known Nicola Coughlan, who stars in Bridgerton
[as Penelope Featherington], for years. Another of her shows, Derry Girls, has also been nominated in the Comedy category, so maybe she could win a couple of awards!