NTA Awards: Emotional Ant McPartlin ‘genuinely shocked’ to win award as Dec Donnelly makes cheeky dig at Dermot O’Leary and tells him to retire

ANT McPartlin has won the National Television Award for TV Entertainment Presenter for the 18th consecutive year - despite spending most of the year on a break from work after his drink-drive crash.

Ant admitted he was "genuinely shocked" as he accepted the award with his presenting partner Declan Donnelly and beat tough competition from Holly Willoughby to win the gong.

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"Thank you this is a genuine shock, especially this year," he said.

"I'm shaking here, we want to say thank you to everybody, I really don't feel like I can accept this this year.

"The one reason we've won the award this year is because of this guy, his hard work, dedication, wit, funniness and being the best mate there is out there, I love you man, well done.
Ant then pulled Dec in for a hug and said: "It's good to be back well done pal."

Ant and Dec were not at the awards bash because they are tied up filming BGT but accepted the award from the London Palladium.

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They also made a dig at rival Dermot O'Leary who previously said he would quit the business if Ant and Dec won for the 18th year in a row.

"Special mention to Dermot who said he was going to chuck the towel in if we won this year so... happy retirement Dermot!" Dec joked.

Dermot previously told The Sun: "If they win it, having not been on television, we may as well just chuck in the towel."

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Taking to Twitter after winning the award, the boys shared a selfie.

"Thank you doesn’t seem to cover it this year. We are humbled and honoured," Dec tweeted.

"We are so appreciative of your continued support and good wishes, they are never taken for granted. Thank u again. Now back to #BGT auditions! D x #NTAs."

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Last week Ant admitted his "whole world came crashing in" last March when he was involved in that infamous drink-drive crash in the midst of a divorce battle.

But after receiving treatment for alcohol, addiction and mental health issues, the ITV star has made a big comeback presenting the Britain's Got Talent auditions.

Earlier tonight, Holly Willoughby accepted the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here - beating Ant for Saturday Night Takeaway.
Holly presented the show with Dec as she stood in for Ant after his drink-drive arrest.

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Accepting the award, she said: "I spoke to the boys earlier on today and they can't be here tonight but they asked me to say thank you so much for voting for a show so close to their heart.
"I managed to jump through my TV screen and be part of one of my favourite shows this year."

Holly also accepted the award for best daytime show for This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield.

The This Morning hosts now have a whopping ELEVEN awards under their belts for This Morning.

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In true Holly and Phil style, straight after telling the audience how happy they were at scooping their latest award, they were seen sipping from a hip flask backstage.

Phil could be seen pouring liquor into his pretty co-host's mouth as they celebrated their win.

Another happy winner was Danny Dyer who broke down in tears during an emotional winners' speech - before swearing.

Host Dermot O'Leary was forced to apologise for the EastEnders' stars choice words as he accepted the award for Best Serial Drama Performance for his role as Mick Carter in the BBC soap.

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Other big winners of the night were Emmerdale for best Serial Drama and Bodyguard for New Drama.

Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders won Best Drama and Strictly Come Dancing won Best Talent Show.

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Dermot O'Leary hosted the awards and in his opening speech took a cheeky swipe at Holly Willoughby and her phenomenal success.

The cheeky NTAs host joked that the show is the only programme  Holly hasn't taken over this year after she stepped in for Ant McPartlin on I'm A Celebrity.

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"I am delighted to be your host tonight for one of the few shows on ITV not hosted by Holly Willoughby," he teased.

"Although negotiations are ongoing and I hear they're going very well."

The camera panned to Holly and she blushed as the crowd applauded her success.

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Earlier in the night, many celebrities took the tube to the bash to ensure they could enjoy a few shandies on the night.

Savvy stars including Laura Whitmore, Jack Whitehall and Georgia Toffolo are jumping on public transport to make their way to the NTAs at the O2 in south-east London.

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Irish presenter Laura Whitmore shared a picture of herself waiting for the train near her home in London.

Wearing a gold metallic suit, she looked every inch the glam rocker in 70s-inspired platform sandals.

Clutching a black and gold star bag, she tossed a look over her shoulder to see when the train was coming.
She wore her blonde hair in a tussled low bun with strands framing her face.

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Meanwhile, Georgia Toffolo was wearing such a glamorous dress that at first she refused to sit on the tube seats.
Wearing a floor-length ruffled red gown, the I'm A Celebrity star clung on for dear life as she posed for a photo.

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Later her Made In Chelsea pal Ollie Locke encouraged her to take a seat as they posed for a photo together.

Toff wore her short blonde hair in loose waves - adding Hollywood glamour to her scarlet dress.

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Jack Whitehall and his dad Michael were a little unluckier when they got their tube.

Father and son were packed into the carriage like sardines in their matching black tuxes.

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Lizzie Cundy also took care not to let the seats on the train crumple her dress.

Wearing a white feathered gown, she held the pole and posed for a photo.

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