GEORDIE duo Ant and Dec said they were delighted after being named the top entertainment presenters at the National TV awards for a 12th year in a row.
The pair, who appeared via video link during a break in filming auditions for Britain’s Got Talent, said they were “so, so happy” to receive the award.
“We’re so pleased to get this for a 12th year,” said Dec. “It means such a lot.”
“This is ridiculous,” added Ant, “And we really appreciate it ever so much.”
The trophy was handed to the stars by Simon Cowell, who hugged them both and told them: “You deserve this.”
The night began with the glitz and glamour of the red carpet as stars including Loose Women’s Denise Welch and former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton arrived at London’s O2 Arena.
Only two months after undergoing a double mastectomy, Gateshead-born star Michelle looked stunning in a long blue dress.
The ceremony kicked off with host Dermot O’Leary spoofing Daniel Craig’s James Bond video from the Olympic opening ceremony, with David Walliams as the blonde-haired villain Silva.
But it was to be an evening of mixed fortunes for the North East nominees.
Early success came with the first award of the night as the Ant and Dec-presented I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! saw off The Graham Norton Show, The Only Way Is Essex and Alan Carr: Chatty Man for the entertainment programme prize.
But the duo missed out on a hat-trick as Britain’s Got Talent was pipped to the talent show prize by Strictly Come Dancing. And Benidorm, starring Sunderland-born actress Melanie Hill, missed out in the best sitcom section to Mrs Brown’s Boys.
The biggest shock of the night came in the men’s drama performance category, which many commentators had predicted would be a battle between Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch and Dr Who’s Matt Smith. Instead the award went to the star of cancelled fantasy show Merlin, Colin Morgan.
Coronation Street star Alan Halsall, who took the best serial drama performance award for his role as Tyrone in the ITV soap, paid tribute to co-star Bill Tarmey, who died last year after playing Jack Duckworth for decades.
