NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS: SHORTLIST REVEALED AHEAD OF 2025 CEREMONY, VOTE OPEN

Joel Dommett returns as host the 2025 National Television Awards, which take place on Wednesday 10th September at the O2 Arena in London. You can vote free online at www.nationaltvawards.com.

NTA host Joel Dommett is back and shining up the all-important trophies as Britain’s biggest TV Awards event returns to The O2 London.  The star-studded ceremony will be broadcast LIVE on ITV1 and ITVX from 8pm on Wednesday 10^th September.

In a landscape of on-demand streaming, those up for Reality Competition represent appointment-to-view TV that needs to be watched on the night of broadcast.  From the roundtables of The Traitors to the crowning of an I’m A Celebrity jungle king or queen, by way of Love Island’s relationship twists and Race Across the World’s cliffhangers, this is television that must be seen in real time.

Five powerhouse contenders vie for New Drama, the most talked-about of which is arguably the global hit Adolescence. But certainly not to be underestimated are Jilly Cooper romp Rivals and star-studded gangster saga MobLand, as well as two fresh twists on the crime genre: lip-reading thriller Code of Silence and the puzzle-solving Ludwig.

It’s a genre almost as old as TV itself, but the Quiz Show category remains as varied and enduring as ever. The diverse shortlist is made up of a quartet of bankable hits, with Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, Richard Osman’s House of Games, The 1% Club and The Chase all highlighting the flexibility of the question-and-answer format.

Sport and showbiz icons are spotlighted in Authored Documentary. Cricket star Freddie Flintoff opened up about his life-changing car crash in Flintoff and There’s Only One Rob Burrow paid tribute to the late rugby league hero-turned-MND campaigner. They line up alongside a pair of inspiring young women on personal journeys in Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me and Molly-Mae: Behind It All, while Boyzone: No Matter What chronicled the 90s boyband’s career with poignant honesty.

A quintet of beloved shows vie for Returning Drama, with departing detective favourite Vera bidding to bow out on a high. Its final ever series goes up against the poignant pleasures of Call the Midwife and coming-of-age romance Heartstopper – plus a pair of action-packed thrillers in Gangs of London and Slow Horses.

In TV Presenter, can anyone prevent Ant & Dec taking the crown for a truly remarkable 24th year running?  Hoping to cause an upset by snatching the prize away from the prolific pair are the always entertaining Alison Hammond, Traitors puppet master Claudia Winkleman, decluttering queen Stacey Solomon and Gary Lineker, after blowing the final whistle on his 26-year Match of the Day stint.

There’s a Stacey Solomon double in Factual Entertainment, where her lifestyle show Sort Your Life Out and fly-on-the-wall series Stacey & Joe both make the final five. Stiff competition comes from the agricultural antics of Clarkson’s Farm, those much-loved Gogglebox armchair critics and the cash-saving expertise of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.

It's on-screen father versus son in Drama Performance. Teenager Owen Cooper makes the shortlist for his powerful breakthrough performance in Adolescence, as does Stephen Graham for playing his devastated father.  They’re up against Tom Hardy for MobLand and Rose Ayling-Ellis for the trailblazing Code of Silence, while Brenda Blethyn is recognised for her final case as Vera.

The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award is named after someone who had TV’s golden touch and those shortlisted possess their own long-standing lustre.  Michael McIntyre’s Big Show vies for the grand prize, along with the A-list magnet that is The Graham Norton Show, hidden-celeb sensation The Masked Singer and yarn-spinning panel game Would I Lie to You?

In the hotly contested Serial Drama category, reigning champion Emmerdale attempts to retain its crown, while EastEnders has high hopes in a notably high-profile year thanks to its 40^th anniversary.  But a big birthday is also just around the corner for Hollyoaks, and a tough-to-call shortlist is rounded out by medical stalwart Casualty and the venerable Coronation Street.

In Serial Drama Performance, Steve McFadden earned plaudits for Phil’s mental health crisis on EastEnders, while Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper shone in courtroom scenes.  Plus, Corrie’s David (aka actor Jack P Shepherd) faced hit-and-run horror, Sue Devaney depicted Debbie’s reaction to a life-changing diagnosis, while Jacqueline Jossa excelled as Walford’s Lauren was left shaken following the birth of her son.

What’s occurring?  It was Comedy that brought the nation together at Christmas thanks to the finale of Gavin & Stacey.  But can the former NTA winner beat Brassic’s loveable rogues, the riotous ribaldry of Mrs Brown’s Boys and Michael McIntyre’s 25^th Year Stand-Up Special?

In Daytime there can be no doubt that the likes of This Morning and Loose Women remain beloved by their armies of fans.  In contention against these NTA favourites this year are two first-time nominees: the weekend cookery delights of James Martin’s Saturday Morning and the fraud-busting Scam Interceptors.

Talent Show remains a ratings-grabbing category as viewers gather in their millions to cheer on their choices. Where would we be without the razzle-dazzle thrills of Strictly Come Dancing, The Voice UK or Britain’s Got Talent? Also making up the menu here is much-loved foodie fave The Great British Bake Off, and clay-crafting contest The Great Pottery Throw Down makes a bid for the trophy for the first time.

Viewers are also in for a treat with this year’s Special Recognition Award which will be presented on the night.  Expect a big surprise and an acceptance speech like no other.

TV’s biggest stars will take their seats at The O2 London on Wednesday 10th September 2025 when the results will be announced LIVE.  And you can be there to experience the excitement alongside them. Book your seats now at www.nationaltvawards.com/tickets