National Television Awards 2017: Ant and Dec win big as Mary Berry beats Len Goodman and Casualty trumps Game of Thrones

This Morning, Emmerdale and Strictly Come Dancing were among the winners at this year’s National Television Awards.

A host of stars stepped out for the celebratory ceremony at London’s O2 Arena to honour the nation’s favourite TV shows.

Ant and Dec proved they were as popular as ever as they picked up their 16th NTA. The Geordie duo looked shocked to learn they had won the Best Presenters gong after fighting off competition from Rylan Clark-Neal, Gary Lineker, James Corden and Mel and Sue.

Ant praised the “remarkable” Great British Bake Off hosts and admitted that he and Dec would have been happy to have lost out to the duo.

The BBC baking show failed to beat I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for the Challenge Show award, but Mary Berry later picked up the title of best TV Judge.

This Morning reigned superior for another year as they picked up the Live Magazine gong. Recalling presenting the show hungover after last year’s win, hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby joked that they are planning on getting matching tattoos this year.

One of the biggest shocks of the night saw Casualty beat Game of Thrones to take the Best Drama gong.

The BBC hospital series proved more popular than the HBO fantasy drama as well as Cold Feet, Happy Valley and The Night Manager.

Mrs Brown’s Boys was crowned Comedy champion, Call The Midwife picked up the first ever Period Drama trophy and Emmerdale picked up the coveted Serial Drama gong.

Graham Norton was honoured with the Special Recognition award for his services to TV.

On accepting the accolade, Norton joked: “I know this is a sort of NTA pity party because it’s the only way I can get one of these over Ant and Dec. I feel so old. I feel like the NTAs have invited me to my own funeral –turns out it was great Will Smith and my mother were there.”

He continued: “I don’t quite know what to say because legions of people have worked on the show over the years and I can’t thank them all. Thank you to all of you who watch the show. I’m glad you still enjoy it after nearly 20 years. To keep a show on the air for that long isn’t easy – in my case it’s kind of a miracle. I’ve been very lucky to work with amazing people over the years.”

Norton fought back tears as he thanked his close group of representatives for ‘keeping him on TV’.

Full list of winners:

Entertainment Programme

Ant & Dec's Saturday night Takeaway

Drama Performance

Sarah Lancashire

Factual Entertainment

Gogglebox

Serial Drama Performance

Lacey Turner (EastEnders)

Comedy

Mrs Brown's Boys

TV Judge

Mary Berry

Daytime

The Chase

Period Drama

Call The Midwife

Live Magazine

This Morning

Newcomer

Faye Brooks (Coronation Street)

TV Presenter

Ant & Dec

Special Recognition

Graham Norton

Drama

Casualty

Challenge Show

I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here

Serial Drama

Emmerdale

Talent Show

Strictly Come Dancing