National Television Awards returns with a huge change as official longlist is revealed in full
IN this modern world of conspiracy theories, misinformation and fake news, we need telly experts more than ever – and bosses at the National Television Awards clearly recognise that.
They have announced a brand new category for the specialists who inform and inspire us with their knowledge on prime-time TV.
Sir David Attenborough leads the field for his nature documentaries, while Prue Leith earns a place alongside him on the longlist of nominees for her work in the kitchen.
The other names are fairly new to our screens - Steven Bartlett from Dragons’ Den, Clarkson’s Farm grafter Kaleb Cooper, new chief of SAS: Who Dares Wins Rudy Reyes, iceman Wim Hof and Repair Shop host Jay Blades.
Elsewhere on the long-list, Oti Mabuse will take on sister Motsi in the Talent Show Judge category after the Strictly pro jumped to ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
And more streaming shows feature than ever before. The list includes a collection that demonstrates the huge breadth of content viewers can find across Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Apple TV, with shows including Slow Horses and Bridgerton up for gongs.
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There won’t be a dry eye in the house when the late Tom Parker's Inside My Head goes up against Kate Garraway's Caring For Derek for Authored Documentary at the bash on September 15 at London’s OVO Arena Wembley.
Serial winners Ant & Dec are, of course, nominated for TV Presenter, alongside Bradley Walsh and the evening’s host, Joel Dommett.
NTA: THE CATEGORIES
- New Drama
- Talent Show
- Authored Documentary
- Returning Drama
- TV Presenter
- Factual Entertainment
- Drama Performance
- The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award
- Serial Drama
- Expert
- Serial Drama Performance
- Quiz Game Show
- Rising Star
- Daytime
- Comedy
- Talent Show Judge
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And will viewers press their buzzers for Lee Mack's The 1% Club? The Saturday evening prime-time show has nabbed a nomination in Quiz Game Show, after a storming start on ITV.
One thing I know for sure is that voters will have a tough time whittling this lot down to a shortlist. Good luck to everyone involved.
View the longlist and vote for free online at
All votes must be in by 11pm on June 6 2022.
Last Endeavour
ITV has announced that crime drama Endeavour will draw to a close after ten years. The series currently being filmed in Oxford will be the last.
The prequel to Inspector Morse, starring Shaun Evans, first aired as a film in January 2012 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Morse’s TV debut.
CURTIS LIKES IT HOF
FORMER Love Island star Curtis Pritchard has revealed how he uses the Wim Hof Method - just like that on Holly Willoughby's Freeze The Fear - to manage stress.
The approach uses breathing combined with cold therapy like ice baths to test the body and the mind's focus.
Since appearing on the ITV dating show Curtis has had to learn to manage his mental health.
He added: "I started originally myself doing breath work and all of that stuff. But then I actually started to try Wim Hof and cold showers and I loved his stuff.
"Being an active person, it really helped me out in my aerobic capacity."
Meanwhile brother AJ, who was a Strictly pro, revealed his more methodical approach to managing his stress.
He said: "I'm somebody who likes lists. I like to do a to-do list in the evening, ready for tomorrow. Sometimes it doesn't have the most serious things on it, a bit of washing etc.
"Sometimes you get lots done in the day, and sometimes you only get one important thing done. But that important thing could be a big step forward in what you want to do, and could change the rest of your life."
The ballroom-dancing brothers have teamed up to try and change stigma around seeking help with mental struggles or using therapy.
Curtis said: "I hate the word 'therapy'. People should look at it as finding out more about yourself and exploring your brain and the way that you work."
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AJ became a full-time carer for girlfriend Abbie Quinnen in January last year when she suffered third degree burns in an accident.
He turned to therapy to cope.
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In support of Zizzi’s long-standing partner the Mental Health Foundation and the charity’s campaign for Mental Health Awareness Week - the restaurant chain invited Zizzi regulars AJ and Curtis Pritchard to sit down over a meal with no distractions to have an open, honest and frank discussion about loneliness.
- See the video here