Strictly Come Dancing scoops major prize at National Television Awards 2024 despite its year of scandal – as the show gets ready to mark its 20th anniversary

Despite a year plagued with scandals and controversy, Strictly Come Dancing scooped the prize for Talent Show at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night.  

Amid fears for the show’s future over accusations of abuse aimed at professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, the BBC show beat out Britain’s Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, MasterChef and The Voice to take one of the night’s big prizes.

The NTAs are voted for by the public, with the win for Strictly a clear sign that viewers are still rooting for the show as it prepares to return for its 20th series on Saturday night.

Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were joined on stage by the show’s professional dancers and the creative team as they accepted the gong at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday. 

The presenting duo singled out the show’s ‘wonderful’ team as they gushed that the win ‘meant everything.’    

Elsewhere at Wednesday’s NTAs, Claudia missed out on the best TV Presenter gong — which went to Ant and Dec. However, the iconic presenter did win the gong for best Reality Competition for BBC’s The Traitors. 

Meanwhile, judge Anton Du Beke also lost out as he was beaten in the Expert category by broadcasting legend David Attenborough. 

Among the attendees at Wednesday’s awards was Strictly dancer Amy Dowden – who is set to return to the show this weekend following her breast cancer diagnosis.

Amy looked sensational for the evening as she donned a striking fuchsia pink figure-hugging gown, complete with a bold black spike attachment. 

The show’s win comes amid a turbulent time for Strictly amid the series of scandals involving dancers – including ex-celebrity contestant Zara McDermott. 

Zara stepped out for the awards showing off her incredible figure in a revealing fishtail dress that boasted a busty cut-out as she posed with her partner Sam Thompson. 

The reality star was at the centre of a scandal when footage of former professional partner Graziano’s ill treatment of her was unearthed. 

The win comes amid claims that BBC bosses are full of ‘panic and worry’ regarding the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

The actress has accused the dancer of bullying, which he denies. But the Mail can reveal that there are concerns at the Corporation about how the two parties will react when the results of the investigation are revealed.

There have been high-level meetings among bosses as they navigate how to deliver their findings as they fear the looming possibility of legal action from either Ms Abbington, 52, or Mr Pernice if either is disappointed by the outcome.

One source told the Mail: ‘This is an absolute mess and the BBC don’t know what to do for the best.

‘There is a lot of panic and worry that whoever it does go in favour of will really go for the BBC, so every single word of whatever is released doesn’t give anyone the chance to complain.

‘They literally don’t know what to do so it is being delayed and delayed. [Director-General] Tim Davie is a good guy but this is impossible to navigate.’

Giovanni has been at the centre of the BBC probe being conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by his partner Amanda, 50, and two other former celebrity dance partners.

He has vehemently denied the allegations.

The investigation is due to be published in the coming days, and BBC staff have reportedly had their emails, texts and WhatsApps examined as part of the bullying probe. 

Members of the crew have had their phones searched for references to Giovanni or Amanda in a bid to gather evidence.

The Mirror has revealed the subject access request is understood to have been made to the BBC by Amanda’s team, to provide any personal data or information that might shed light on her and Giovanni’s relationship.

A source told the publication: ‘People complied with it in the hope that it shoots down any claims of a cover-up.’

Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has since been sacked by the show following similar claims of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, with whom he was paired in 2023.

Confirming his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’ 

Ant and Dec were awarded the Best Presenter honour for a record 23rd time as they led the big winners .

The pair were once given the coveted prize, and joined big winners on the night such as Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, The Chase and Strictly Come Dancing.

During their speech, Ant and Dec also offered insight into how their ‘lives have changed’ in recent years since becoming parents.

In April, Ant welcomed his first child with wife Anne-Marie, a son named Wilder, while Dec has daughter Isla, six, and son Jack, two, with his wife Ali.

Dec said: ‘Our lives have changed so unbelievably, over the last six years since we got very small children.

‘Now we’re going back to dirty nappies and the school run. My little girl Isla she said ”good luck Daddy I hope you win the trophy, take my lip balm it may give you good luck,” before holding up the balm his daughter had given him.’

While Ant and Dec continued their record-breaking winning streak, it was Mr Bates Vs The Post Office who were the big champions of the night, with three prizes.

Toby Jones was awarded the prize for Serial Drama Performance for his critically-acclaimed performance in the series.

In his speech, the actor offered his congratulations to the real-life Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates, after he tied the knot with his longtime partner Susanne on Richard Branson’s private island at the weekend.

He added: ‘This is an extraordinary project, brilliantly commissioned, directed with flare, and the best actors I could possibly hope to work with. I’m really honoured.’

Mr Bates vs The Post Office drew renewed public attention to the subpostmasters who were wrongly prosecuted during the Horizon IT scandal, and this was also recognised with the ceremony’s Impact Award later in the evening.

Sub-postmaster Jo Hamilton took to the stage, and during the speech slammed the government’s response to the scandal.

She said that despite the appointment of a new Labour government, ‘nothing has changed,’ and sub-postmasters are yet to receive compensation.