Jodie Whittaker and Suranne Jones urge support for equal pay at NTA awards

Jodie Whittaker and Suranne Jones urged support for equal pay at the National Television awards.

Jones – who scooped the Best Drama prize for her starring role as Doctor Foster – opted to wear a 50/50 badge as a pledge of her support for the campaign.

Whittaker voiced her support in a powerful speech as she won Best Crime Series for Broadchurch.

She said: "It's an incredibly important time and the notion should be supported. It's a bit of a shock that it's a surprise to everyone that it should be supported.

"I know I do not speak just on behalf of the women here, I speak on behalf of the men and the women."

The British star last year caused a storm by becoming the first ever time lord in Doctor Who history.

She described the experience as “overwhelming as a feminist” to have the role.

The TV star added at the time that fans should “not be scared” by her gender.

"It's more than an honour to play the Doctor,” she said. “It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for-hope.”

Other winners included the nation’s favourite duo Ant and Dec who took home best presenter alongside Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield who were awarded best daytime prize for This Morning.