National Television Awards 2022: The winners

Peaky Blinders and After Life were among shows that took home trophies at the National Television Awards at Wembley Arena on Thursday night.

Britain’s television stars dazzled on the red carpet before settling in for a night of celebrating success in all aspects of television, including drama, comedy, documentary and TV presenting.

Masked Singer presenter Joel Dommett returned to host this year’s awards and Robbie Williams opened with a medley of his biggest hits.

The NTAs are unique in that they’re the only UK TV awards ceremony where all the winners are chosen exclusively by the public via a nationwide poll.

Peaky Blinders won the award for best returning drama, while After Life took out the top gong for best comedy.

The best daytime TV award was given to ITV’s breakfast show, This Morning, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Cillian Murphy, who plays Thomas Shelby in the long-running show Peaky Blinders, won an award for drama performance, but he could not accept it in person.

Paddy Bever, who plays Max Turner on Coronation Street, made an emotional speech after he said he was shocked to receive the award for rising star.

The best TV Presenter award was taken by Ant & Dec, but not without playful protest from Alison Hammond, who said she should have won it while the team from This Morning took to the stage.

Strictly Come Dancing took the award for best talent show while Emmerdale won best serial drama.

Gogglebox was voted as best factual entertainment, Anton Du Beke won best talent show judge, and Martin Lewis was voted best TV expert.

Sir Lenny Henry was presented with the NTAs’ coveted gold Special Recognition Award, honouring his career in UK television.

Among those congratulating Sir Lenny for his achievements as a writer, campaigner, comedian and presenter via video tributes was Hollywood superstar Whoopi Goldberg.