Ant and Dec at NTA Awards: Duo slammed for failing to thank Holly Willoughby in acceptance speech

Willoughby stepped in for McPartlin on I'm A Celebrity
Reunited: Ant and Dec accepted their award from the Britain's Got Talent auditions
ITV
Emma Powell23 January 2019
The Weekender

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Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly faced a backlash from fans after they failed to thank Holly Willoughby during their acceptance speech at the National Television Awards.

The Geordie duo won the Best Presenter gong for the 18th consecutive year, despite McPartlin taking a break from screens in the wake of a drink-driving charge and a subsequent stint in rehab.

McPartlin paid tribute to Donnelly as they acknowledged the award via video link from the Britain’s Got Talent auditions, but appeared to forget about Willoughby who stepped in to present I’m A Celebrity in November.

“Wow thank you, thank you very much this is a genuine shock especially this year,” McPartlin said. “We want to say thank you to everybody. I really don’t feel like I can accept this award this year. The one reason we won is because of this guy – his hard work, dedication wit and being the best mate there is out there. I love you mate. Well done.”

Standing in: Holly Willoughby on I'm A Celeb with Declan Donnelly (ITV/Rex)
ITV/REX

Donnelly went on to thank their fans, gave a brief nod to the support from ITV and ended with a “special mention” to Dermot O’Leary who previously joked he would throw in the towel if the presenting duo won again.

Viewers slammed the pair for omitting Willoughby, with one tweeting: “Class would have been to let Dec talk. Ant should have said nothing and Holly should have been thanked. This year showed Dec can do it alone or with someone else. Don't get too comfortable Ant. A thank u to all those that stood by u would have been nice #antanddec #NTAs.”

Another wrote: “Quite sad that neither Ant or Dec thanked holly for filling in the gap for three weeks.”

A third fumed: “Fix!! Ant has the f******cheek to talk after he has done f*** all last year! Decs’ been all on his own. It should be holly getting the award!! #NTAs.”

Willoughby lost out on the Best Presenter gong, but she walked away with the award for Best Daytime alongside co-host Phillip Schofield.

They left Good Morning Britain’s Piers Morgan fuming after viewers voted for the This Morning duo, despite Morgan promising to go vegan and Susanna Reid vowing to break her no-alcohol ban if they won.

National Television Awards 2019: Winners - In pictures

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