Gary Lineker ends Ant and Dec's 23-year winning streak at TV awards

Gary Lineker ends Ant and Dec's 23-year winning streak at TV awards

Culture reporters Noor Nanji and Yasmin Rufo were astonished when Gary Lineker broke Ant and Dec’s 23-year winning streak at the National Television Awards. Lineker, the former Match of the Day host, was awarded best TV presenter at the viewer-chosen event, marking a significant shift. Following his departure from the BBC football show after 26 years at the conclusion of the Premier League season in May, Lineker announced his decision to leave the corporation due to ongoing controversies surrounding his social media activity.

During his acceptance speech, Lineker expressed gratitude towards his colleagues while emphasizing the importance of using one’s platform to advocate for those who cannot speak up. He acknowledged the reasoning behind his win, stating, “It’s not lost on me why I might have won this award.” When asked if he would consider returning to the BBC, Lineker remained uncertain, noting that he was eager to collaborate with ITV. The National Television Awards, where all winners are determined by public votes, granted Lineker the opportunity to reflect on his past contributions to television.

In the realm of comedy, the finale of Gavin and Stacey, which drew in over 20 million viewers during the Christmas season, emerged victorious in the comedy category. Ruth Jones, who portrays Nessa in the show, accepted the award and humorously told the audience, “Alright, calm down. I’m going to the bar now for a pint of wine.” On a separate note, Wallace & Gromit received a special recognition award, underscoring their significant impact in the world of animated entertainment.

Another standout winner of the night was Netflix’s drama “Adolescence,” which clinched the title for best new drama, as well as the best drama performance award for its young star, Owen Cooper. The compelling narrative revolving around a teenage boy accused of murdering a classmate struck a chord with audiences, leading to widespread acclaim. Despite the absence of Cooper and fellow nominee Stephen Graham at the awards ceremony, their outstanding contributions to the show remained highly regarded by attendees

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More