Ant and Dec face battle with pal Holly Willoughby for top presenter gong at National Television Awards
ANT AND DEC’s downstairs loos must be absolutely chokka with National Television Awards trophies.
But despite a year where Ant has barely worked due to a drink-driving charge and a trip to rehab, they could be adding another.
I can reveal that the Geordie duo are nominated for the TV Presenter gong at this year’s awards — which would be their 18th win in a row.
But they face stern competition from a familiar face, Ant’s I’m A Celeb replacement Holly Willoughby.
Holly, who took the presenter’s place in Oz alongside his best mate Dec, will be hoping her work Down Under is enough to disrupt their winning streak.
Also up for the gong, which the boys have won every year since 2001, is Holly’s This Morning co-star Philip Schofield, chat show host Graham Norton and The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh.
But if they lose out on the TV Presenter award, Ant and Dec could win The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award alongside The Graham Norton Show, Love Island and All Round To Mrs Brown’s
And the head-to-head clashes don’t stop there.
For the New Drama gong, a fresh category for this year’s awards, two of the best things on telly in 2018 do battle — BBC’s Killing Eve and Bodyguard.
The full shortlist will be announced today by host Dermot O'Leary at the V&A museum in Dundee.
- Voting opens at 1pm on Monday at ()
Siobhan's Don good
DOWNTON Abbey star Siobhan Finneran and Holby City actor Don Gilet are dating after meeting on ITV’s Scottish crime drama The Loch in 2017.
I can reveal the pair, who played the leads in the series, have grown increasingly close over the past few months after shooting the drama set in the Highlands two years ago.
Their relationship comes after Siobhan’s ex-husband, Emmerdale’s Mark Jordan, announced he was engaged to co-star Laura Norton on Wednesday – five years after his divorce from Siobhan.
A source said: “Siobhan has moved on and is very happy with Don.
“Their relationship is no secret and they’ve been getting to know each other off set after meeting on The Loch.
“They’ve both got children so they’re keen not to rush into things but they’re also an item.”
Don was previously in a relationship with Peep Show actress Tracy Whitwell before they called it quits.
Seems as if they’re keen to keep romance in the business.
A big test for Nikki
DURING her 14 years on Silent Witness, Dr Nikki Alexander has worked on some difficult cases – but now she faces a tough personal dilemma.
In the new series, which starts tomorrow on BBC1 at 9pm, the forensic pathologist, played by Emilia Fox finds she could be pregnant in her mid-forties.
She has to decide whether she should put her career on hold to possibly have a child with new lover Matt Garcia, played by Michael Landes.
Emilia said: “Nikki’s feelings towards Matt are explored more in this series. She also begins to think about whether she is ready to start a family.”
Mis packs a punch
WRITER Andrew Davies is no stranger to sexing up old stories for telly – and he appears to have done it again with Les Miserables.
Andrew – who gave us Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and James Norton in War and Peace – added extra drama to last night’s episode.
In one scene Olivia Colman’s Madame Thenardier is hit by her evil husband, an event I believe was not in the book, stage show or film.
A TV insider said: “Andrew does like to slightly change stories to make them more exciting for the small screen but some purists might not agree with his change to Les Mis.”
In last week’s episode of the BBC’s six-part series – also starring David Oyelowo and Lily Collins – viewers saw Dominic West’s Jean Valjean go completely starkers.
I doubt many of the audience complained about that, mind you.
Biz bit
- THE grim line-up for the latest series of Geordie Shore includes desperate Tahlia Chung who once begged for cocaine on social media. It really is time that someone put this tired reality show out of its misery.
- GEMMA Collins narrowly escaped a hospital dash while preparing for her Dancing on Ice debut last night. The Towie star told fans: “Guys, I’ve had a massive fall while in rehearsals, avoided the ambulance this time.”
Soapbox
GINA breaks into Duncan’s flat in Coronation Street while Imran becomes suspicious about Duncan’s wife.
When he returns home, Gina hides under the bed but manages to make a lucky escape out of the window when Tim starts hammering on the door.
Meanwhile, Abi is released from prison and Marcia makes threats to Sally.
In Emmerdale, Mandy Dingle bursts through the door as Marlon and Jessie prepare to say their vows.
At the same time, a vulnerable Chas leaves a message on Paddy’s phone.
Feeling the strain, she sets off to find him.
But all hell breaks loose when Chas finally snaps and attacks Mandy.
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Must watch
WHAT? Brexit: The Uncivil War, Channel 4, 9pm.
WHY? The drama about Vote Leave campaigner Dominic Cummings, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and the key role he played in the 2016 referendum.
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