Despite a year plagued with scandals and controversy, Strictly Come Dancing scooped the prize for Talent Show at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night.

Amid fears for the show’s future over accusations of abuse aimed at professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, the BBC show beat out Britain’s Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, MasterChef and The Voice to take one of the night’s big prizes.

The NTAs are voted for by the public, with the win for Strictly a clear sign that viewers are still rooting for the show as it prepares to return for its 20th series on Saturday night.

Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were joined on stage by the show’s professional dancers and the creative team as they accepted the gong at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday.

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Despite a year plagued with scandals and controversy, Strictly Come Dancing scooped the prize for Talent Show at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night

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Amid fears for the show’s future over accusations of abuse, the BBC show beat out Britain’s Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, Masterchef and The Voice to take the night’s big prize

The presenting duo singled out the show’s ‘wonderful’ team as they gushed that the win ‘meant everything.’   

Elsewhere at Wednesday’s NTAs, Claudia missed out on the best TV Presenter gong — which went to Ant and Dec. However, the iconic presenter did win the gong for best Reality Competition for BBC’s The Traitors.

Meanwhile, judge Anton Du Beke also lost out as he was beaten in the Expert category by broadcasting legend David Attenborough.

Among the attendees at Wednesday’s awards was Strictly dancer Amy Dowden – who is set to return to the show this weekend following her breast cancer diagnosis.

Amy looked sensational for the evening as she donned a striking fuchsia pink figure-hugging gown, complete with a bold black spike attachment.

The show’s win comes amid a turbulent time for Strictly amid the series of scandals involving dancers – including ex-celebrity contestant Zara McDermott.

Zara stepped out for the awards showing off her incredible figure in a revealing fishtail dress that boasted a busty cut-out as she posed with her partner Sam Thompson.

The reality star was at the centre of a scandal when footage of former professional partner Graziano’s ill treatment of her was unearthed.

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Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were joined on stage by the show’s professional dancers and the creative team as they accepted the gong at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday

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The presenting duo singled out the show’s ‘wonderful’ team as they gushed that the win ‘meant everything’

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The duo posed with Strictly’s Executive Producer Sarah James backstage

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The win comes amid claims that BBC bosses are full of ‘panic and worry’ regarding the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice

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Elsewhere at Wednesday’s NTAs Claudia missed out on the best TV Presenter gong — which went to Ant and Dec. However, the iconic presenter did win the gong for best Reality Competition for BBC’s The Traitors (Pictured with cast members Mollie, Diane, Harry and Jaz)

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Meanwhile, judge Anton Du Beke (Pictured with his wife Hannah Summers) also lost out as he was beaten in the Expert category by broadcasting legend David Attenborough

Meanwhile Jamie Borthwick had nothing but good things to say about the show as he prepares to join the celebrity line up for the 20th anniversary series.

The EastEnders actor, 30, is due to take part in the latest line up after previously winning the Christmas special with partner Nancy Xu back in 2023.

Speaking to MailOnline at the National Television Awards on Wednesday Jamie gushed that the show is ‘magic’ as he confessed: I’m really enjoying it so far. I’m aching in places I didn’t know I could.

‘Strictly’s magic. It’s a magical show, and it brings a lot of happiness to people, and I’m just happy to be part of it.’

Commenting on the controversy, Jamie added: ‘I wasn’t there at that time. I can only speak from when I’ve been there and it’s been an absolutely fantastic place to be.

‘I did the Christmas show, and it was absolutely fantastic and it was that it was the environment that made me want to go back for the series.

‘So absolutely not a bad word at all.’

The win comes amid claims that BBC bosses are full of ‘panic and worry’ regarding the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

The actress has accused the dancer of bullying, which he denies. But the Mail can reveal that there are concerns at the Corporation about how the two parties will react when the results of the investigation are revealed.

There have been high-level meetings among bosses as they navigate how to deliver their findings as they fear the looming possibility of legal action from either Ms Abbington, 52, or Mr Pernice if either is disappointed by the outcome.

One source told the Mail: ‘This is an absolute mess and the BBC don’t know what to do for the best.

‘There is a lot of panic and worry that whoever it does go in favour of will really go for the BBC, so every single word of whatever is released doesn’t give anyone the chance to complain.

‘They literally don’t know what to do so it is being delayed and delayed. [Director-General] Tim Davie is a good guy but this is impossible to navigate.’

Giovanni has been at the centre of the BBC probe being conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by his partner Amanda, 50, and two other former celebrity dance partners.

He has vehemently denied the allegations.

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Meanwhile Jamie Borthwick had nothing but good things to say about the show as he prepares to join the celebrity line up for the 20th anniversary series (pictured with fellow EastEnders star Tony Clay)

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Among the attendees at Wednesday’s awards was Strictly dancer Amy Dowden – who is set to return to the show this weekend following her breast cancer diagnosis

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Amy looked sensational for the evening as she donned a striking fuchsia pink figure-hugging gown, complete with a bold black spike attachment

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The show’s win comes amid a turbulent time for Strictly amid the series of scandals involving dancers – including ex-celebrity contestant Zara McDermott

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Zara stepped out for the awards showing off her incredible figure in a revealing fishtail dress that boasted a busty cut-out as she posed with her partner Sam Thompson

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The reality star was at the centre of a scandal when footage of former professional partner Graziano’s ill treatment of her was unearthed

The investigation is due to be published in the coming days, and BBC staff have reportedly had their emails, texts and WhatsApps examined as part of the bullying probe.

Members of the crew have had their phones searched for references to Giovanni or Amanda in a bid to gather evidence.

The Mirror has revealed the subject access request is understood to have been made to the BBC by Amanda’s team, to provide any personal data or information that might shed light on her and Giovanni’s relationship.

A source told the publication: ‘People complied with it in the hope that it shoots down any claims of a cover-up.’

Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has since been sacked by the show following similar claims of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, with whom he was paired in 2023.

Confirming his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.

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The results of the the £250,000 investigation are set to be released just days before the 20th anniversary series is due to start

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Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has since been sacked by the show following similar claims of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, with whom he was paired in 2023

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’

Ant and Dec were awarded the Best Presenter honour for a record 23rd time as they led the big winners .

The pair were once given the coveted prize, and joined big winners on the night such as Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, The Chase and Strictly Come Dancing.

During their speech, Ant and Dec also offered insight into how their ‘lives have changed’ in recent years since becoming parents.

In April, Ant welcomed his first child with wife Anne-Marie, a son named Wilder, while Dec has daughter Isla, six, and son Jack, two, with his wife Ali.

Dec said: ‘Our lives have changed so unbelievably, over the last six years since we got very small children.

‘Now we’re going back to dirty nappies and the school run. My little girl Isla she said ”good luck Daddy I hope you win the trophy, take my lip balm it may give you good luck,” before holding up the balm his daughter had given him.’

While Ant and Dec continued their record-breaking winning streak, it was Mr Bates Vs The Post Office who were the big champions of the night, with three prizes.

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Hosted for the fourth time by Joel Dommett, the National Television Awards was held at The 02 London and broadcast live on ITV and ITVX at 8pm (Joel at the 2023 ceremony)

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Geordie Duo Ant and Dec have won the Best TV Presenter award 23 times now

Toby Jones was awarded the prize for Serial Drama Performance for his critically-acclaimed performance in the series.

In his speech, the actor offered his congratulations to the real-life Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates, after he tied the knot with his longtime partner Susanne on Richard Branson’s private island at the weekend.

He added: ‘This is an extraordinary project, brilliantly commissioned, directed with flare, and the best actors I could possibly hope to work with. I’m really honoured.’

Mr Bates vs The Post Office drew renewed public attention to the subpostmasters who were wrongly prosecuted during the Horizon IT scandal, and this was also recognised with the ceremony’s Impact Award later in the evening.

Sub-postmaster Jo Hamilton took to the stage, and during the speech slammed the government’s response to the scandal.

She said that despite the appointment of a new Labour government, ‘nothing has changed,’ and sub-postmasters are yet to receive compensation.

NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS 2024: THE WINNERS

AUTHORED DOCUMENTARY

Beckham

Rhod Gilbert: A Pain in the Neck

Robbie Williams

Rose Ayling-Ellis: Signs for Change

Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story – WINNER

BRUCE FORSYTH ENTERTAINMENT AWARD

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway

The Graham Norton Show

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here – WINNER

The Masked Singer

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show

COMEDY

Brassic

The Gentlemen

Ghosts

Mrs Brown’s Boys – WINNER

Not Going Out

DAYTIME

The Chase – WINNER

Deal or No Deal

Loose Women

This Morning

The Repair Shop

DRAMA PERFORMANCE

Brenda Blethyn (Vera)

Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer)

Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once)

Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs the Post Office) – WINNER

Vicky McClure (Trigger Point)

EXPERT

Anton Du Beke (Strictly Come Dancing)

David Attenborough (Mammals) – WINNER

Kaleb Cooper (Clarkson’s Farm)

Martin Lewis (The Martin Lewis Money Show)

Torvill And Dean (Dancing on Ice)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

Clarkson’s Farm

Gogglebox

Martin Lewis Money Show Live

Sort Your Life Out – WINNER

The Yorkshire Vet

NEW DRAMA

Baby Reindeer

Fool Me Once

Mr Bates vs The Post Office – WINNER

One Day

Red Eye

QUIZ GAME SHOW

The 1% Club – WINNER

Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win

Beat the Chasers

Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel

Richard Osman’s House of Games

REALITY COMPETITION

The Apprentice

Celebrity Big Brother

Love Island

Race Across the World

The Traitors – WINNER

RETURNING DRAMA

Bridgerton – WINNER

Call the Midwife

The Crown

Trigger Point

Vera

SERIAL DRAMA

Casualty

Coronation Street

EastEnders

Emmerdale – WINNER

Hollyoaks

SERIAL DRAMA PERFORMANCE

Angela Wynter (EastEnders)

David Neilson (Coronation Street)

Diane Parish (EastEnders)

Eden Taylor-Draper (Emmerdale)

Peter Ash (Coronation Street) – WINNER

TALENT SHOW

Britain’s Got Talent

The Great British Bake Off

MasterChef

Strictly Come Dancing – WINNER

The Voice UK

TV PRESENTER

Alison Hammond (This Morning)

Ant And Dec (I’m a Celebrity) – WINNER

Bradley Walsh (The Chase)

Claudia Winkleman (The Traitors)

Stacey Solomon (Sort Your Life Out)

IMPACT AWARD

Mr Bates vs The Post Office

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Davina McCall