The National Television Awards offer a chance for the biggest names in TV to be honoured for their contributions over the past 12 months, as were these stars from compelling dramas, game-changing comedies and thought-provoking factual shows who received gongs over the years.
But a few of the more unexpected recipients from the vaults might come as something of a surprise.
Whether it’s an underdog proving everyone wrong, an unlikely star emerging triumphant or even just the inclusion of some rather bizarre categories, here are 12 of the most surprising NTAs winners from over the years…
Sam Aston – Most Popular Newcomer (2004)
It was a tough category too, with Patsy Kensit and Tracy-Ann Oberman both also up for the award.
Lily Savage – Most Popular Entertainment Presenter (1999)
Long before the Best Presenter award became synonymous with Ant and Dec, Lily’s efforts on the celeb-infused gameshow bagged her the gong (and once the wigs and sequinned gowns were firmly boxed up in his loft, Paul O’Grady would go on to snatch a few of his own too).
‘Big Brother’ – Most Popular Factual Programme (2001)
Presenter Davina McCall wore this suit for the occasion which was… a choice, with ‘BB’ triumphing over ‘Ground Force’, ‘Animal Hospital’ and ‘Crimewatch’ in the category.
‘Loose Women’ – Most Popular Factual Programme (2010)
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes – Most Popular Detective (2014)
Who’d have thought it… Benedict was unable to attend the ceremony (missing the chance to rub shoulders with Keith Lemon, Jeremy Kyle and the cast of ‘Dancing On Ice’), but did send a video acceptance speech.
Sharon Osbourne – Most Popular Expert On TV (2005)
Mrs O was up against Jeremy Clarkson, Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver for the award, as well as fellow ‘X Factor’ judge Simon Cowell, who we’re sure was just thrilled to lose to her.
‘Stephen Fry In America’ – Most Popular Star Travel Documentary (2009)
Stephen Fry was the lucky recipient in the end, which was hard luck for ‘Joanna Lumley In The Land Of The Northern Lights’, ‘Billy Connolly: Journey To The Edge Of The World’ and ‘Piers Morgan… On Dubai’.
Ant and Dec – Most Popular Entertainment Presenter (2001)
First, because they were up against big names like Michael Barrymore, Chris Tennant and Jim Davidson – but also because they were nominated for their work on Saturday morning kids’ show, ‘SM:tv Live’.
Nikki Grahame – Most Popular TV Contender (2006)
Anna Friel – Most Popular Actress (1995)
Here she is at the ceremony with then-boyfriend Robbie Williams, still a year away from releasing his debut solo single, a cover of George Michael’s ‘Freedom’.
‘Celebrity Juice’ – Multichannel (2015)
Danny Dyer – Serial Drama Performance (2015)
No one was laughing just a year later, though, when his portrayal of Mick Carter was lauded by critics, and earning him multiple awards in the process.