Strictly Come Dancing emerged victorious in one of the top categories at the National Television Awards (NTA) on Wednesday, winning the title of Best Talent Show. This win comes after a challenging period for the popular BBC dance contest, which has been under scrutiny due to recent controversies surrounding the treatment of some contestants.
The NTA winners, determined by public vote, celebrated the achievement as a testament to the show’s enduring appeal despite recent difficulties. The BBC’s flagship Saturday night program faced criticism following the removal of two professional dancers due to complaints about their behavior and teaching methods during rehearsals.
The award was a significant boost for the show, which is set to return for a new series in the coming days. The victory was particularly poignant for co-host Claudia Winkleman, who enjoyed a double celebration as her other show, The Traitors, also won Best Reality Competition.
The event saw other notable winners, including ITV’s drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which took home three awards. Additionally, Ant and Dec extended their record-breaking streak by winning Best Presenter for the 23rd consecutive year.
Expressing their gratitude on stage, the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing were visibly thrilled. Tess Daly shared her excitement with co-host Claudia Winkleman, saying, “My heart is beating, Claude. It means the world, genuinely, to all of us.”
Winkleman echoed Daly’s sentiments, stating, “This means everything. We’re so grateful. We’re going to do the conga.”
