Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield nearly got tattoos from James Nesbitt at the National Television Awards

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield revealed they came close to getting tattoos from James Nesbitt to mark their National Television Award win for This Morning.

The presenting duo promised fans they would go one better than being hungover by getting inkings.

Speaking on stage as they collected their 12th NTA gong for Best Live Magazine, Schofield said: “Obviously we shamed ourselves last year, and we’re not going to do that again this year.

“We’re going to get tattoos!”

Acknowledging his speech on Thursday’s This Morning, Schofield said: “I’ve got to tell you, we so, so nearly did!”

Willoughby added: “It was very close and there were a number of reasons why we are not sporting tattoos this morning and it was more to do with the practicalities…and you can’t get a tattoo if you’ve had a drink.”

Schofield said people were calling tattoo artists in a bid to ensure the presenting duo stuck to their promise and revealed Nesbitt was “so up for the idea” that he was happy to do the tattoo for them.

Willoughby said: “If there was a compass and some ink there he would have been jumping on the band wagon.”

Keen for them to stick to their promise Rylan Clark-Neal arranged for a mobile tattoo artist to join them in the studio.

Clearly regretting his remark, Schofield said: “You have to do it in the moment. But the moment has passed.”

The pair struggled through their presenting stint on Thursday morning with Schofield asking viewers to “keep the noise down”.

Willoughby joked there was a lot of “heavy breathing” going on as she kicked off her shoes to stay comfortable.

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