Ant McPartlin is triumphant at Britain’s Got Talent auditions as he shrugs off criticism of NTA win
Ant's NTA win sparked backlash last night, with the star's co-host Declan Donnelly going solo for much of the year
ANT McPartlin could not stop beaming as he stepped out for Britain's Got Talent auditions earlier today - evidently unfazed by criticism of his National Television Award win last night.
The TV favourite was overwhelmed when he and co-star Declan Donnelly won the Best TV Presenter accolade at last night's ceremony for the 18th time in a row, despite Dec going solo for much of the year.
The win shocked fans as well as fellow celebrity Piers Morgan, and Ant faced backlash on social media.
But it appears that the critics were far from his mind as he arrived at the London Palladium this afternoon.
The 43-year-old presenter grinned for the cameras, looking relaxed in a dark blue, checked shirt, padded winter coat, and grey flat cap.
Ant and Dec were busy filming for Britain's Got Talent when their win was announced last night, with the live ceremony cutting to the boys at the Palladium so that they could accept the gong.
Clearly overwhelmed by the win, both stars appeared to fight back tears as Ant insisted that he could not accept the award as they only won it because of Dec.
He said: "This is a genuine shock especially this year. I'm shaking!
"We want to say thank you to everybody. I really don't feel like I can accept it, the one reason we won this award was this guy, his wit his determination, I love you pal."
Earlier today, Piers seethed about the win on Good Morning Britain - saying that he was "livid" with the pair's success.
He moaned: "Why did Ant and Dec win? I get why Dec won but why did Ant and Dec win? 'He hasn't done any work for a year.
"Whatever they do, they win in year in year out. He could do an Andi Peters and sleep in a hammock on a beach for a year."
And viewers agreed, taking to social media to share their own outrage.
One wrote: "If Ant can not work all year and still win an #NTA I’m going to not show up to work for a year and hope for a promotion."
Another added: "No Ant, as much as I think you're awesome you don’t deserve the award.
"Dec deserves it; he’s done a great job and put his all into his work, he is the true winner"
Ant took an extended break from the limelight following a drink-drive accident in March last year.
The star had previously been open about his drug and alcohol addiction, and took the rest of the year off work to focus on his recovery.
The move meant that Dec was forced to film the Britain's Got Talent live shows and Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway alone, with Holly Willoughby drafted in to replace Ant for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in November.
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