NTAs 2021: Line Of Duty's Tommy Jessop steals the show by performing a dance ...

Line Of Duty won two National Television Awards on Thursday night at London's O2 Arena - and all eyes were on actor Tommy Jessop who played Terry Boyle in series five and six during the live show.

While the cast and crew took to the stage to accept the gongs for Returning Drama and the Special Recognition Award, Tommy, 36, sashayed his way up the steps, showing off some moves, with the crowd going wild for it.

Once on stage, Tommy continued to dance, swinging his hips and striking a muscle man pose on the ground, as the rest of the cast and crew watched on delightedly.

Meanwhile the other star of the series Martin Compston received a kiss from his wife Tianna Flynn on stage as the hit show won the two awards. 

The actor, 37, - who played Detective Inspector Steve Arnott - said in the winner's room afterwards: 'Thank you to everyone who voted for us. Tommy was fantastic. I think he's going to take the award!'

He added, of the potential return of the series: 'People ask me every two mins if there will be another season. These people love what we do so I never take it for granted.

'It means it's going well. It means people are so invested and the fact the audience keeps getting bigger over 10 years so who knows?'

Elliott Rosen played the part of Terry Boyle in series one, but Jessop took it over in series five and became the first actor with Down's syndrome to appear in a BBC primetime drama 

NTA viewers took to Twitter to comment on Tommy's showstopping moment, with one writing: 'Go on Terry Boyle lad #NTAs', while another said: 'I'm loving Terry Boyle at the NTAs!' 

Comedian Joel Dommett kicked off the 2021 ceremony, celebrating the return of live in-person shows amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sure to launch the show on a light-hearted yet poignant note, Joel, 36, quipped: 'It's been a great year for soaps thanks to all the hand-washing!'

The broadcast kicked off with a VT of Joel frantically trying to find someone to open the show, with the likes of Simon Cowell, Oti Mabuse, Ant & Dec, Holly Willoughby and Mo Gilligan joining in for the skit. 

The task ended up being taken on by singer HRVY, who was joined on stage with characters from The Masked Dancer and his former Strictly Come Dancing pro Janette Manrara.

Joel also joked in his speech at he had to stay two metres away from Ant & Dec ('not because of the pandemic, because they've asked me to') and referenced the awkwardness of watching racy drama Bridgerton with his mother.

He then joked that he wouldn't be making a gag about Ricky Gervais, who was in the audience, because 'he's my idol and I'm scared of him'.

Ricky was soon on the stage, accepting the award for his Netflix show After Life, which won the Comedy prize.

'I'm really surprised by this - I thought it's not my demographic this show. It's lovely thank you,' he said afterwards. 'This made the two hour car journey here worth it! The cast are great but I take all the credit!'

He updated those eager to know about the third series, saying: 'Season three will be as close to Christmas as we can. It's the best one yet. It's nearly finished. Very pleased with it. We did it through Covid so was a double pleasure.'

He quipped: 'The dog does not die, everyone else does!'

He went on: 'I'm still surprised how well the show does around the world. It's a show about a guy who kills himself because his wife died from cancer. People who are grieving approach me on the street and say how much the show helped them.' 

Ant and Dec scooped the Best Presenter gong for an epic 20th time in a row at the National Television Awards on Thursday, with a visibly emotional Ant seen clutching his new wife Anne-Marie as the news was delivered.

The great and the good of British television gathered at London's 02 Arena for the star-studded awards show, which also saw Kate Garraway choke back tears as her Finding Derek documentary bagged the inaugural authored documentary award.

Meanwhile, This Morning triumphed once again in the Best Daytime category as they led the other big winners on the night including Line Of Duty, Gogglebox and It's A Sin. 

Ant and Dec looked both elated and stunned as their names were read out amid huge cheers from the audience, with Ant's new bride Anne-Marie showing him support by taking his hand before applauding the pair.

The Geordie duo beat off competition from the likes of Piers Morgan, Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Bradley Walsh to win the coveted gong once more.

Taking to the stage with his co-star, Ant McPartlin said: 'Thank you very much indeed', before going on to recall that the first time they won the award in 2001, Tony Blair was Prime Minister and Newcastle United were qualifying for the Champion's League. 

He went on to add: 'I'm shaking. You have no idea how special this is.' 

Dec then added that the award is 'pretty overwhelming', before thanking their wives for their support. 

He continued: 'When you get to 20, you cant help but look back at first one, so much has changed in lives, but one thing hasn’t changed it how unbelievably grateful we are to you for voting.' 

The duo's proud wives Anne-Marie Corbett and Ali Astall looked on from the audience as their partner's gave their speech.

Speaking in the winner's room later, Ant said: '20 years, it’s a long time and to get up there tonight and to be voted for so much has happened and the public are still voting for us it means the absolute world. 

'It's the biggest privilege to be on air and put a smile on people’s faces while going through an awful time.'

While Dec remarked: 'In the category, the calibre was so high, three other candidates who deserved it! (Jokingly referring to one of those not being Piers Morgan, who was also up for the same gong).

Elsewhere, it proved to be a triumphant night for for This Morning as they once again won the Daytime award.

Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield led the way up on stage as they delightedly accepted the award alongside co-hosts Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes and Rochelle Humes.  

However, the duo will not make their usual worse-for-wear appearance on the ITV show as this year's awards is held on a Thursday, with the pair not presenting on Fridays. 

Phillip thanked the viewers for sticking with the show during the pandemic, while Holly also thanked the team and everyone at home for watching and voting. 

Meanwhile, Kate Garraway looked simply stunned as the documentary about her husband Derek Draper's Covid battle won the authored documentary.

The Good Morning Britain host received a standing ovation from the audience including her ITV pals Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Ruth Langsford as she made her way to the stage.

But things became a bit too much as she choked back tears and asked one of her team to say something while she composed herself.

As she stepped up to the mic, she said: 'It was a hugely brave decision from ITV for doing this, they didn't know if they were making a TV show about bereavement or triumph', adding that it 'ended up being something between the two.' 

In her speech, she said: 'Thank you so much for voting, I wonder if the reason you did this is because our story is your story, I think we've all been touched by the pandemic, whether it's livelihoods or mental health.

'All the other extraordinary documentaries that have been highlighted this evening have also been affected by the pandemic. I just want to say to all the Darcys and Billies and Dereks and Derek's family that whatever you're going through and however you're effected - you're not forgotten.

'We want the joy back, we want it to be over but if you're still living with the scars the fight goes on.

But most important of all, Derek you should be here and he should have had the chance to tell his own story, Derek you're gonna get the chance, I believe, the hope is real thank you so much!'

Speaking later in the winner's room, Kate said: 'Congratulations to the team who made it though together. It’s there’s really. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come tonight. 

'I’m extraordinarily proud of it but it felt like a strange time to leave the family but even on the way in here a woman called Angela and her son jack said I lost my husband and the documentary helped.'

She added: 'The reaction was extraordinary. They voted because it was their story. We’ve all been touched by the pandemic. 

'Derek's gonna know about this award tonight. I need to phone home. The kids are in the room with Derek we have a weird contraption at home and they’re watching the whole thing.'

She concluded: 'The award goes to Derek and kids.'

It was an especially great night for Ant and Dec as their show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! also bagged The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.

Ant and Dec took to the microphone first before handing things over to reigning champion Giovanna Fletcher, who dazzled in a white gown with feathered cape.

Meanwhile, Line Of Duty bagged their first NTA during the night, scooping the award for best returning drama. 

The drama pipped The Crown, Call The Midwife and Unforgotten to the post, with the cast and crew looking elated as they made their way to the stage.