NTA Awards 2025 Winners List
All right, confess—who didn’t check their group chat last night to see if Ant & Dec won again? Turns out, there’s a new champion: Gary Lineker ended their legendary 23-year streak as Best TV Presenter—cue gasps in every living room. Whether you grew up with Lineker’s cool commentary or tuned in only for his Twitter spats, this win felt…well, overdue. The energy in the O2 Arena was electric, a mix of nostalgia and change.
Not everyone was expecting the victories that followed. Below, a quick-fire list for whoever wants the highlights, with a few quips and human moments sprinkled in:
- TV Presenter: Gary Lineker (finally, justice for football fans—and those partial to dodgy puns).
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- New Drama: Adolescence (Netflix) — This gritty show about a teenager’s legal travails was a total sensation. Lead actor Owen Cooper bagged Best Drama Performance at just 15, beating his own on-screen father. I wonder if he’s even old enough to drive himself to the afterparty?.
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- Comedy: Gavin & Stacey — Their festive family finale had 20 million glued to screens. Ruth Jones joked on stage about heading for “a pint of wine”—and frankly, after the show’s ending, I needed one myself.
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- Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award: Michael McIntyre’s Big Show — If you haven’t caught this, prepare for accidental snorts and sofa-side belly laughs.
- Returning Drama: Call the Midwife — A familiar warm hug in the form of telly drama, beating new darlings and old juggernauts alike.
- Factual Entertainment: Clarkson’s Farm — Maybe it’s the tractors, maybe it’s the grumpy charm, but Jeremy Clarkson’s rural antics pulled in enough votes to bulldoze tradition.
- Reality Competition: I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! — No jungle japes here: this show bounced The Traitors straight out of contention (no traitors needed).
- Serial Drama Performance: Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell, EastEnders) — It wouldn’t be the NTAs without at least one “Mitchell moment” on stage—bit like finding beans in the back of the cupboard, reliable and weirdly comforting.
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Drama Category Surprises
First off, Adolescence turned every prediction on its head. There was real buzz about Stephen Graham, but his co-star Owen Cooper walked off with Best Drama Performance—at 15! That’s mad. Gossip backstage was that Cooper almost missed the big moment, reportedly stuck on a delayed train. The world’s most relatable teen star? Maybe so. Meanwhile, Brenda Blethyn (Vera) was brilliant but not the chosen one, though fans took to X (Twitter, obviously) in droves defending her snub.
The End of an Era
When Gary Lineker’s name was read for TV Presenter, people cheered and a few of the old crowd looked genuinely stunned. Ant & Dec, bless ’em, cracked a joke about finally being able to sleep in next year. Social media blew up immediately—old clips surfaced, debates flared up, and someone even spliced clips of Gary’s penalty goals with his acceptance speech. Honestly, I haven’t seen so much football chat outside an actual match day. Lineker called it “a sign you can stand up for people who don’t have a voice”—just the right blend of class and candor.
Comedy, Community, and a “Pint of Wine”
Speaking of classic British comedy, Gavin & Stacey’s win brought genuine, messy joy to the room. Ruth Jones accepting the award for the team gave a speech so full of community warmth, a little silly, a little poignant—it was, as always, uniquely Welsh and universally perfect. Offstage, she famously quipped, “I’m heading to the bar for a pint of wine”—which, as anyone who’s watched a British awards show knows, is solid NTA tradition.
Documentaries and Special Moments
There was a lovely personal touch in the documentary category, with Molly-Mae’s “Behind It All” taking the prize. She later remarked in interviews that she hadn’t expected it, feeling lucky to be recognized among so many inspirational stories. Made me think: sometimes what wins isn’t slick, it’s real. There was also a nod to community, with Wallace & Gromit chiseled into everyone’s hearts with a special recognition award. Even if the cheese-loving duo don’t quite fit in the drama/comedy spectrum, who doesn’t love a claymation underdog?
