Ant McPartlin says Dec Donnelly "deserves" to win the NTA
Ant McPartlin has announced that his presenting partner Dec Donnelly "deserves" to win the National Television Award for Best Presenter at the upcoming ceremony.
Ant was off our screens for much of 2018 after he stepped away from his presenting commitments to focus on his recovery after a drink-driving incident, but Dec continued to host the pair's shows, including the final episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, the live Britain's Got Talent finals and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!.
Speaking in his first interview since returning to work, Ant has now told The Sun that Dec's work deserves to be recognised.
"If we do win - and I hope people still vote - then Dec deserves it. He’s worked his socks off this year," Ant said.
"It’s an accolade to how hard he’s worked in tough circumstances. How good a friend he’s been to me. How much of a professional he is. If we do win, then Dec will have to take most of it and I’ll take a tiny bit for my few shows last year."
Ant also remarked on fellow presenter Dermot O'Leary's joking comments earlier this week that if Ant and Dec do win the Best Presenter award again, everyone else should "chuck in the towel", saying that Dermot apologised to him afterwards.
"He was kind of joking," Ant said about the whole thing. "I say kind of because it was one of those foolish things to say that's going to be taken in a serious manner.
"He said, 'Oh my God mate, I’m so sorry'. I challenged him to a fight in the school playground in my response. '3pm, schoolbags off.' Then I said, 'Look I get it, no worries'."
We'll find out whether Ant and Dec can scoop an 18th consecutive win in the category when the National Television Awards ceremony is broadcast live on ITV on January 22 from The O2 London.
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