Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are BOOED at the National Television Awards after ‘queuegate’ controversy which saw 77,000 people sign a petition demanding the stars are axed over their visit to see the Queen’s coffin
- The presenters found themselves at the centre of the ‘queuegate’ controversy’ in September when they were accused of skipping the queue to see the Queen lying in state, which they both denied
- Despite the criticism the broadcasters received, the show still took home the Daytime gong, with Phillip saying the award means ‘so much to us every year, especially this year’
- Taking to the stage, he said: ‘Please don’t think we ever get complacent and please don’t think we ever take it for granted. This means so much to us every year, especially this year. We have the best boss’
- Phillip and Holly faced considerable backlash in the days after ‘queuegate’, with a petition for the presenters to be removed from television altogether reached 77,000 signatures
- There were concerns for the pair’s mental health in the wake of the widespread backlash
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were booed as they accepted the Best Daytime Award at the National Television Awards this evening in the aftermath of the ‘queuegate’ scandal.
ITV’s This Morning presenters sparked outrage after they were alleged to have skipped the queue to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth at her lying in state last month.
More than 77,000 people signed a petition demanding the stars be axed after the controversy – even though TV bosses came out in their defence and stated the pair were at Westminster Hall to work as broadcasters and did not push ahead of the public.
Despite the criticism the broadcasters received, This Morning still took home the Daytime gong on Thursday night.
While he did not address the controversy, Schofield said the award means ‘so much to us every year, especially this year’.
‘Please don’t think we ever get complacent and please don’t think we ever take it for granted. This means so much to us every year, especially this year. We have the best boss.’
Willoughby added: ‘This Morning has a very special relationship with you, you make our show for us, you really do. All these guys on the stage here, Alison [Hammond] and Dermot [O’Leary], Rochelle [Humes] and Vernon [Kay], Josie [Gibson], everyone. Thank you for all your support.’
The online petition – titled ‘Axe Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from TV’ – alleged Schofield and Willoughby were ‘given privileges that deprived others’ as thousands waited in the queue for up to 24 hours to pay their respects.
The campaign also accuses the pair of ‘exploiting the situation’ and using their positions in media to ’cause more harm than good, without people noticing’.
Among those who waited their turn in the queue, dubbed the ‘Elizabeth Line’ were David Beckham and even Holly and Phil’s ITV colleague Susanna Reid, from GMB. Images of Beckham and Reid patiently waiting their turn in the hours-long queue to pay their respects were used against the This Morning hosts in the immediate aftermath.
The widespread backlash sparked concerns for both Willoughby and Schofield’s mental wellbeing, particularly after it was revealed Schofield would not return to his lucrative We Buy Any Car deal.
Rumours at the time suggested Willoughby was unhappy ITV did not step in sooner to publicly back her, and there has been speculation – since denied – that she may leave the show.
Awkward: Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were booed by some members of the audience at the National Television Awards when This Morning was announced as a contender for the Best Daytime Award
Fallout: Phillip and Holly faced considerable backlash, with a petition for the presenters to be removed from television altogether reached 73,000 signatures
After being seen on the official camera feed inside the venue, the pair said they were there to make a segment for This Morning’s show which would air four days later.
Willoughby and Schofield have not commented on the matter since issuing a statement on This Morning in which they insisted they ‘did not skip the queue’.
The Mail on Sunday revealed the star’s names were not even on the accreditation list when they made their controversial visit to see the Queen lying in state.
The names of their production team were instead used to help them gain access.
ITV insisted it would not give out the personal contact details of on-screen talent to the Palace of Westminster authorities – and so the email addresses of programme editor Martin Frizell and another member of the production staff, who accompanied them, had been used instead.
The source involved in the media list told The Mail on Sunday: ‘When they got there, their names weren’t on the list so there were some discussions and – after some back and forth – Schofield and Willoughby were given access and they were ushered through. The whole thing caused a bit of a hoo-ha.’
Willoughby has been relying on support from her friends to get her through the controversy. Despite the fact that calls for Willoughby and Schofield to be sacked could land Alison and Dermot the role as full-time hosts, sources say they have remained loyal.
Schofield and Willoughby are reportedly paid as much as £600,000 for presenting the daytime show from Mondays to Thursdays, with Alison and Dermot filling in for Friday’s show.
Overjoyed: Despite the mixed reception from the audience, the This Morning crew looked thrilled as they accepted their award
Controversy: Holly was believed to be unhappy that ITV did not step in sooner to back her, and there has been speculation – since denied – that she may leave the show
Former England captain David Beckham waited in line for almost 14 hours to pay his respects to the Queen – despite being offered a pass by an MP to jump the queue.
Good Morning presenter Susanna Reid also won plaudits for waiting for seven hours with her mother to file past the coffin.
Other notable winners at the ceremony – held at the OVO Arena in Wembley, London – included Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for Best Presenter, Anton Du Beke for TV Judge, Peaky Blinders for Returning Drama and Lenny Henry for the Special Recognition Award.
Elsewhere, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnnelly took home their 21st consecutive Best Presenter award and the Bruce Forsyth award.
Unfortunately, the TV duo were not there to accept their awards as they have both fallen ill with Covid and had to stay at home.
The Bruce Forsyth Award went to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! with Emmerdale star Danny Miller who won last year’s series accepting the gong along with several other stars from the 21st season.
Danny said: ‘On behalf of Ant and Dec who have Covid so they can’t be here tonight, Stephen Mulhern is in the crowd so I’m not sure why he’s not accepting for them.
‘I’d like to say on behalf of the crew and castmates, although we had to have an evacuation, they managed to get us back on and we all got paid.
‘A massive thank you to everyone who voted and everyone who made the show what it is. A massive thanks to the cast and crew and best of luck back in Australia.’
The show was nominated alongside The Graham Norton Show, Taskmaster and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
Speech: Stephen Mulhern accepted Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s 21st Best Presenter award as the pair were at home with Covid
Ill: Unfortunately, hosts Ant and Dec were not there to accept their award as they have both fallen ill with Covid (pictured in September 2021)
Success: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! kicked off proceedings at the National Television Awards on Thursday as the show won the coveted Bruce Forsyth Entertaintment Award
The next award was Best New Drama which was won by the ITV thriller series Thriller Point with show star Vicky McClure accepting the gong.
In her speech, she said: ‘What’s incredible about the NTAs, it’s the fans and viewers and that’s what matters in television. I want to say thank you to Jed Mercurio and to our wonderful directors and everyone who worked on this.’
For the first time ever, the NTAs gave out an award for TV expert with the nominees being Kaleb Cooper, Martin Lewis, Sir David Attenborough and Jay Blades with money expert Martin taking home the trophy.
The This Morning regular was given a resounding applause and said: ‘When your up against a treasure like David Attenborough, you don’t expect to win. Whoever said we’ve had enough of experts, we haven’t. We need them more than ever.
Presenters: The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award was presented by Michelle Visage and Oti Mabuse
Winners: The next award was Best New Drama which was won by the ITV thriller series Thriller Point with show star Vicky McClure accepting the gong
Honoured: For the first time ever, the NTAs gave out an award for TV expert to Martin Lewis
‘It’s been a pretty horrible year financially. I’m afraid the next year with the mortgage problem and the knock on to rents is going to be pretty bad and we need someone to get a grip on the economy and put things better. I’ll leave that to my show which is back on next Tuesday, tonight this nerd is going to party.’
Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke was honoured with the TV Judge award for his efforts on the BBC One series.
The star thanked his wife Hannah Summers and the show’s executive producer Sarah James in his speech, saying: ‘Thank you to everyone who voted, who’s watching the show. Thank you to my wife.
‘Sarah James, let me tell you about Sarah James. I love this woman, she’s the great thing to happen to television, thank you for giving me the job. That’s why I love her, I won’t deny. Thank you so much.’
Overjoyed: Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke was honoured with the TV Judge award for his efforts on the BBC One series
Next up, host Joel Dommett told the audience that soap Emmerdale are celebrating 50 years on the air this year with the cast and crew being surprised by a video from King Charles III.
The monarch said: ‘I am delighted to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Emmerdale. I’m afraid I’m so old I can remember when it was called Emmerdale farm.
‘It’s testament to it’s production team that it has since become an important British institution and a major British export. What makes Emmerdale so special is it has kept true to the vision of its original writer who wanted to demonstrate that farming is not just a job, it’s a whole way of life.
‘On a daily basis, Emmerdale continues to depict what life is like for those who work the land and protect our precious countryside. It also addresses the longterm sustainability of the way we produce our food.
‘It’s only right that the National Television Awards recognise the enormous contribution Emmerdale has made and I hope those watching will joining me in celebrating it’s 50th anniversary and wishing it an equally successful future.’
Surprise: Host Joel Dommett told the audience that soap Emmerdale are celebrating 50 years on the air this year with the cast and crew being surprised by a video from King Charles III
The award for Serial Drama Performance was next up with former footballer Michael Owen and his Love Island star daughter Gemma presenting the award.
Emmerdale actor Mark Charnock took home the gong and said: ‘So, just follow the king then! The three actresses, their work is off the scale, extraordinary work. I’d like to thank everyone at Emmerdale.
‘Every script was this heart-breaking gift, the Stroke Association who were so supportive. It feels like an important journey we’ve been on raising awareness. I’d like to thank the public, I didn’t think I’d any chance in winning this.
‘You’ve overwhelmed me by voting for me, I’m going to take this away and stare at it for ages.’
Peaky Blinders took home the award for Returning Drama which was presented by members of the England lionesses.
Show creator and screenwriter Steven Knight confirmed the Peaky Blinders film would begin shooting in the coming months.
He said: ‘Thank you to all our fans. It’s been a great journey. It’s become a global thing and the most important thing is the British fans who spotted it early, made it what it is and that’s what this is all about. We’re going to keep going, we’re going to make a film, we start shooting in spring.’
Matt Lucas took to the stage to present the Comedy Award, which was won by Ricky Gervais’ Netflix show Afterlife.
The comedian looked shocked to have won the award and gave a brief speech, saying: ‘Thank you so much, a genuine surprise. I’ll keep It brief, my feet are killing me. Thank you to the amazing cast and crew. Thank you to Netflix and thank you to everyone who voted.’
Ant and Dec, who have won best presenter at the NTAs for 20 consecutive years, are suffering from flu-like symptoms and are ‘bed bound’ with the contagious infection.
A Britain’s Got Talent spokesperson announced on Wednesday that the pair are ‘unwell’ and won’t be working until they recover.
A source told MailOnline: ‘Ant and Dec are gutted. They love the NTAs, it’s the best night in TV, and for them it’s an event they always look forward to.
‘They’re both feeling really poorly but will be watching the show from bed and hope to be well and working again soon.’
A spokesperson for Ant and Dec told MailOnline: ‘After both feeling unwell Ant and Dec have tested for Covid and unfortunately have both tested positive.
‘The duo will be postponing work commitments whilst they recover.’
The pair confirmed the news on their Instagram account, sharing a picture of their positive tests as they quipped: ‘we even get ill together!’
Their absence at the star-studded NTAs won’t go unnoticed by viewers, who have voted for Ant and Dec to win best presenter for over two decades.
NTAs host Joel Dommett has tipped Alison Hammond though to finally end the duo’s 20-year winning streak by taking home the Best Presenter gong.
The comedian, 37, describes the This Morning host, 47, as a ‘force of nature’ and says if anyone can beat the Geordies, it’s her.
But Joel is keen to stress that Ant and Dec, who have bowed out of tonight’s ceremony after testing positive for Covid, are still very much at the peak of their powers and another victory would be deserved.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline ahead of Thursday’s ceremony, Joel said: ‘Alison is very popular… it could be the year for Alison to break Ant and Dec’s streak.
‘For me it’s a win, win situation and I’m sure it is for them as well.
‘Ant and Dec are still so good. If everyone was just voting for them because they’ve won it for 20 years they may as well just win another I would understand, but people don’t vote for them for that. Viewers vote for them because they’re so good still.’
On Alison’s hopes, he added: ‘But If it was to go to anyone else then I would be happy for it to go to Alison – she’s a wonderful force of nature, very infectious, and she’s always been that way.
‘Since I met her 10 years ago, she’s always been like that.
‘She has been on TV for so long and has become this main presenter the last couple of years, but she was on Big Brother, I’m A Celeb, she’s had a hell of a career.’
Elsewhere, Alison’s ITV show This Morning will compete with The Chase, The Repair Shop and Loose Women for the Daytime Award.
Neighbours is set to go head-to-head with UK soaps, EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale for Serial Drama award.
The Australian show has been nominated for one final final gong at the upcoming ceremony, after its 37 year TV reign ended with an emotional finale in July.
Tom Parker – who died aged 33 in March following a battle with brain cancer – receives a posthumous nomination for his moving documentary, Inside My Head.
This year’s NTA shortlist features more streamers than ever before, reflecting the changing broadcasting landscape.
The likes of Heartstopper, After Life, Sex Education, Bridgerton and Clarkson’s Farm prove the sheer breadth of programming that the digital providers now offer.
Four productions that set pulses racing for very different reasons compete for the New Drama award. Heartstopper became an instant coming-of-age classic, while This is Going to Hurt provided a visceral look at life on the NHS frontline.
Time, meanwhile, took us behind bars to show us the brutal realities of prison, and Trigger Point proved to be an incendiary Sunday-night hit.
The Talent Show contenders each gave us showstopping moments, with Krystal Versace becoming the youngest ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, while Rose Ayling-Ellis gave us a glimpse into her world with a silent Strictly Come Dancing routine.
The private lives of well-known faces were revealed in the candid Authored Documentary category.
Inaugural winner Kate Garraway gave an update on her husband’s treatment in Caring for Derek, and Katie Price shared her son’s next chapter in What Harvey Did Next.
Plus, Julia Bradbury charted her medical journey in Breast Cancer & Me, Paddy and Christine McGuinness shed light on disability in Our Family and Autism, while The Wanted’s Tom receives a nomination for his moving cancer study.
Elsewhere, comic Axel Blake wowed crowds on Britain’s Got Talent and Natalie Imbruglia kept us guessing as the triumphing costumed performer on The Masked Singer.
There were head-turning entrances and exits in the Drama Performance category, with Vicky McClure fraying nerves in the debut of Trigger Point, while Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) and Nicola Walker (The Split) both said goodbye to beloved roles.
Plus, Jonathan Bailey took centre stage in the second season of racy period phenomenon Bridgerton.
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award continues to honour those who keep the spirit of consummate showman Brucie alive.
Two Ant & Dec favourites – Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! – are in contention, with competition coming from often-surreal but always-hilarious Taskmaster and A-lister magnet The Graham Norton Show.
In Comedy the heartbreaking final series of Ricky Gervais’ After Life takes on the finely tuned farce of Not Going Out.
Also in contention for the coveted award are Sex Education and Derry Girls, which delivered a fittingly emotional finale that left viewers wanting more.
THE 2022 NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS WINNERS
NEW DRAMA
Heartstopper
This Is Going To Hurt
Time
Trigger Point – WINNER
TALENT SHOW
Britain’s Got Talent
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Strictly Come Dancing – WINNER
The Masked Singer
AUTHORED DOCUMENTARY
Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me
Kate Garraway: Caring for Derek – WINNER
Katie Price: What Harvey Did Next
Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism
Tom Parker: Inside My Head
RETURNING DRAMA
Bridgerton
Call the Midwife
Peaky Blinders – WINNER
The Split
TV PRESENTER
Alison Hammond
Ant & Dec – WINNER
Bradley Walsh
Graham Norton
FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT
Clarkson’s Farm
Gogglebox – WINNER
Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs
The Great British Bake Off
DRAMA PERFORMANCE
Cillian Murphy, Thomas Shelby, Peaky Blinders – WINNER
Jonathan Bailey, Anthony Bridgerton, Bridgerton
Nicola Walker, Hannah, The Split
Vicky McClure, Lana Washington, Trigger Point
THE BRUCE FOSRYTH ENTERTAINMENT AWARD
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – WINNER
Taskmaster
The Graham Norton Show
SERIAL DRAMA
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale – WINNER
Neighbours
EXPERT
Jay Blades
Kaleb Cooper
Martin Lewis – WINNER
Sir David Attenborough
SERIAL DRAMA PERFORMANCE
Mark Charnock, Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale – WINNER
Paige Sandhu, Meena Jutla, Emmerdale
Rose Ayling-Ellis, Frankie Lewis, EastEnders
QUIZ GAME SHOW
Beat the Chasers – WINNER
In for a Penny
Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel
The 1% Club
RISING STAR
Charithra Chandran, Edwina Sharma, Bridgerton
Joe Locke, Charlie Spring, Heartstopper
Kit Connor, Nick Nelson, Heartstopper
Paddy Bever, Max Turner, Coronation Street – WINNER
DAYTIME
Loose Women
The Chase
The Repair Shop
This Morning – WINNER
COMEDY
After Life- WINNER
Derry Girls
Not Going Out
Sex Education
TALENT SHOW JUDGE
Anton Du Beke – WINNER
David Walliams
Mo Gilligan
RuPaul
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