JOEL DOMMETT CONFIRMED TO HOST 2025 NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS

For three decades, the public-voted National Television Awards have been the ultimate vox pop of the TV-watching nation and today sees the launch of the 2025 longlist as voting officially opens nationwide.  

Vying for prizes are all the headline-making shows of the year, including the unifying finale of Gavin & Stacey, the searingly powerful Adolescence, Vera’s poignant farewell and the attention-grabbing arrival of Amandaland. 

Hosted for the fifth time by the ebullient Joel Dommett, the star-studded event will be held on 10th September 2025 at The O2 London and broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STVX. 

Commenting on the launch of the longlist, host Joel Dommett said: 

“The NTAs are 30 years old and the party planning starts here! Star guests? Check. All our best-loved shows? Check. My payment? Cheque. Join us at London's O2 to mark this extra special evening!” 

New Drama contender Adolescence shone a light on a worrying aspect to modern culture and, in doing so, became a true talking point. Also creating a great deal of chatter – though for more ribald reasons! – was Rivals, while Ludwig, Protection and a rebooted Bergerac added fresh colour to the TV crime drama landscape. 

Reality Competition is the category where strategy counts as much as popularity. But with the likes of Big Brother and Race Across the World taking on their own celebrity versions, and Love Island competing against its All Stars spin-off, will star power win out?  Not if The Traitors have anything to do with it – will they be taking a third NTA back to their murderous castle conclave?  Or can I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! swing in on a jungle vine and snatch the prize? 

Authored Documentary is where the most heartfelt and inspiring stories are told and this year is no exception: Freddie Flintoff revealed the toll his injuries have taken in Flintoff, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me spotlighted the health battle of the ballroom star, plus Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope found the cyclist raising awareness following his terminal diagnosis. 

The contenders for Quiz Show are usually to be found giving away prizes – but here they’re hoping to win one. Those looking to triumph include Saturday-night favourites The 1% Club, Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win and Alan Carr’s Picture Slam – but will Beat the Chasers beat the competition? 

The contenders for Returning Drama reflect a year of change: Brenda Blethyn said goodbye to Vera, Ncuti Gatwa welcomed new companion Varada Sethu on board the Tardis in Doctor Who, Don Gilet took on sleuthing duties on Death in Paradise, while Call the Midwife announced that a prequel and a movie would expand its universe. All face competition from streaming hits such as Heartstopper, Black Mirror and Slow Horses. 

Ant and Dec once again proved unstoppable in 2024, but can any of their peers take the TV Presenter crown from them? Could this be the year the prolific Alison Hammond, Claudia Winkleman or even our own Joel Dommett finally get their dues?  But as Gary Lineker bows out of Match of the Day, might he take the prize at the final whistle?  Also in this category, it’s a family affair as father-and-son Bradley and Barney Walsh go head-to-head. 

The NTAs has hit 30, but its history isn’t yet as storied as David Attenborough’s, who spotlighted Asia at the age of 99. Contenders in Factual Entertainment also include a pair posing a double threat: Jeremy Clarkson (Clarkson’s Farm and The Grand Tour: One for the Road) and Stacey Solomon (Sort Your Life Out and Stacey & Joe). 

In Drama Performance, on-screen father is pitted against on-screen son with Adolescence’s Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper longlisted. Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch channel the conflict felt by their alter-egos in The Day of the Jackal, while Danny Dyer and David Tennant are now Rivals in both drama and real life. 

A modern twist on iconic TV favourites Bullseye and You Bet! see both in the running for The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award. New crowd-pleasers The Assembly, the interview show that goes where few others dare, and Last One Laughing are in with a shout. But they face strong competition from established hits such as Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, The Masked Singer, The Graham Norton Show and Gladiators.  Contenders ready …. 

The headline-grabbing soap event of the soap year was the 40th anniversary live episode of EastEnders, but its rivals for Serial Drama didn’t pull their punches. Knife crime and vascular dementia were both explored to powerful effect on Coronation Street, while Casualty highlighted the vital importance of giving blood in a moving Christmas special.  But will all be outshone by last year's winner Emmerdale, which fights to keep its crown? 

Of course, no soap would be a success without stars and those up for Serial Drama Performance are the most stellar: among them, Steve McFadden for his depiction of Phil’s psychosis on EastEnders, Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper for her part in Belle’s coercive control plot, and Olly Rix who made a bracing and bloody Casualty entrance. 

Gavin & Stacey had massive ratings to match the high quality of its emotional 2024 finale and so leads the pack in Comedy. But at its heels are Amandaland, which has become the breakout hit of 2025, and Big Boys, the last episode of which proved that the genre can sometimes go to some hard-hitting places.  But could Australian imports Austin or Colin from Accounts spring a surprise from Down Under? 

Few shows are as long running or have fans as loyal as the ones up for Daytime. And as proof of that longevity, Bargain Hunt recently celebrated its 25th birthday. But there’s still room for innovation, with Repair Shop on the Road breaking the team out of the barn and Policing Paradise giving viewers a glimpse at law enforcement in Bermuda. The likes of Loose Women, Good Morning Britain, BBC Breakfast, Morning Live, Lorraine and This Morning will be aiming for NTA glory too. 

Last year’s Talent Show winner Strictly Come Dancing will be hoping to house another NTA next to the glitterball. But, as the host of fellow contender The Piano, Claudia Winkleman may feel torn. The Great British Bake Off, too, will want to rise to the top, while Interior Design Masters knows a certain trophy would add class to any setting. Or will Britain’s Got Talent hit its golden buzzer and take the prize?  

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 nationaltvawards.com