Mr Bates v The Post Office has won a slew of prizes at the National Television Awards, while Strictly Come Dancing was also a winner – despite allegations of bullying.
The ITV drama which spotlighted the Post Office scandal – where subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted over failings with Horizon IT system – picked up three awards on Wednesday night.
Toby Jones, who played former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates, won best drama performance, while the show won best new drama.
Ahead of the NTA ceremony, it was announced the series had also been awarded the impact award after being credited for getting “politicians talking and changed legislation”.
Jo Hamilton, also a former subpostmaster, said while accepting the impact award that “nothing has changed” while on stage with other victims of the scandal.
“I went to Westminster a couple of weeks back and saw the new minister and trust me, nothing has changed,” she said.
“Almost all of these people behind me haven’t been paid yet. And out of the group of 555, more than 300 haven’t been paid yet.”
Strictly prize despite scandal
Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing picked up the talent show award for the ninth year in a row, despite controversy surrounding allegations of abusive behaviour behind the scenes.
BBC boss Tim Davie said in July that he is confident in new welfare measures put in place for the upcoming series, including dedicated welfare producers and staff chaperones being in all future rehearsals.
Former dancers Graziano Di Prima – who said he “deeply” regrets the events but said there were “aspects” he cannot discuss – and Giovanni Pernice – who has outright denied allegations about his behaviour – have since left the programme and a BBC investigation is under way.
Garraway wins for Draper documentary
Other winners on Wednesday night included Good Morning Britain star Kate Garraway, who won her third award in the best authored documentary category for her series on her late husband Derek Draper.
The show – Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story – followed the final year of Mr Draper’s life before he died in January aged 56 from complications over COVID-19.
A former political lobbyist and psychotherapist, he was said to be one of the UK’s longest-suffering coronavirus patients, having first been hospitalised in March 2020.
Ms Garraway said she “genuinely did not expect” the prize, and added: “It’s so strange to be here – this one’s for you Derek, absolutely.”
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly also made history with another win in the best TV presenter category – their 23rd consecutive award from the NTA.
They also picked up the Bruce Forsyth entertainment award for the reality series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, which they host.
Source : Sky News
