Ant and Dec have scooped their 18th win at the National Television Awards in last night’s ceremony (January 22)
The Geordie duo recently reunited on set of Britain’s Got Talent after Ant took a year out of TV work.
And Tuesday evening saw the pair win the Best TV Presenter award at the NTAs for a record eighteenth year.
However, due to filming commitments for BGT, they weren’t present to pick up their award in person.
Instead, they appeared via a video link from the Britain’s Got Talent auditions currently filming in London’s Palladium.
Ant reacted: “Oh wow, oh wow. Wow. Thank you. Thank you very much. This is a genuine shock especially this year. We want to say thank you to everybody. I really don’t think I can accept this award this year we won this award because of this guy [Dec]. His hard work, dedication, wit and funniness.”
Dec added: “Thank you so much. Thank you so much to those who have sent supportive and kind messages over the past year. They’ve kept me going when he’s [Ant] not been here but we’re back together now!”
After, the pair took to Twitter to post to fans: “Thank you doesn’t seem to cover it this year. We are humbled and honoured. We are so appreciative of your continued support and good wishes, they are never taken for granted. Thank u again. Now back to #BGT auditions! D x #NTAs”
Those nominated alongside Ant and Dec were Bradley Walsh, Graham Norton, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Ant and Dec’s original nomination had proved controversial. Although both have made the shortlist as a duo, Ant stepped down from much of his TV work in 2018, missing episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent and all of I’m A Celebrity.
But speaking before the awards, Ant admitted he was hoping people still vote for him on Dec’s behalf.
“If we do win — and I hope people still vote — then Dec deserves it. He’s worked his socks off this year,” he told The Sun newspaper.
“It’s an accolade to how hard he’s worked in tough circumstances. How good a friend he’s been to me. How much of a professional he is. If we do win, then Dec will have to take most of it and I’ll take a tiny bit for my few shows last year.”
Elsewhere at the 2019 NTAs, Strictly beat Britain’s Got Talent to win Best Talent Show while David Walliams won his third award for Best TV Judge, beating Simon Cowell.
