News / Entertainment
Simon Cowell dedicates NTA award to colleague
Simon Cowell dedicated an award to a colleague who beat cancer at the National Television Awards tonight (26.01.11).
The TV chief - whose reality programme 'The X Factor' won the Most Popular Talent Show award - caused an emotional standing ovation when he honoured producer Siobhan 'Shue' Greene with the gong, who then got up to join him on stage.
The tearful survivor said: "I'm just happy to be alive."
Earlier in the night, Simon had made a surprise appearance on stage as he accepted the award for Most Popular Entertainment Presenter on behalf of Ant & Dec, who had won it for the 10th year in a row, but couldn't be there as they were doing the 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions.
Meanwhile, BBC1's 'EastEnders' received the most recognition of the night, collecting the Most Popular Serial Drama award as well as having two of its young stars Ricky Norwood and Lacey Turner winning Most Popular Newcomer and Most Outstanding Serial Drama Performance respectively.
As the cast took to the stage to collect their award actress Nadia Wadia thanked everyone who voted for them and called the competition "fierce" and Nitin Gunatra praised the soap for "addressing issues" and having "diverse storylines".
Ricky, who attended the event with his stunning Sugababe girlfriend Jade Ewen, was delighted to win his newcomer award for playing Fatboy in the soap.
He told BANG Showbiz: "I'll celebrate with a lot of screaming, I suppose, and a nice bottle of champagne."
One of the biggest shocks of the night came when 'Waterloo Road' beat 'Doctor Who' and 'Sherlock' in the Most Popular Drama category, which was presented by Chilean miner Luis Urzua.
Jason Done, who plays head teacher Tom Clarkson, said: "Mucho grasias. On behalf of cast and crew thank you very much indeed."
Meanwhile, there were laughs all around when the 'Inbetweeners' cast cracked jokes as they collected an award from Rufus Sewell when they beat 'Glee' and 'Peter Andre: The Next Chapter' for the Digital Choice.
Blake Harrison, who plays dozy Neil Sutherland, said: "We'd like to thank all the girls from our youth who made us really sad, sexually unadventurous people."
'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out of Here!' won Most Popular Entertainment Programme with Queen of the Jungle Stacey Solomon saying it had been "a pleasure".
TV legend Bruce Forsyth, 82, was given the Special Recognition award and despite his 50-year career, told the audience at London's O2 Arena he had no intention of retiring.
Full list of winners at the National Television Awards 2011:
Most Popular Comedy Programme: 'Benidorm'
Most Popular Entertainment Programme: 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here'
Most Popular Newcomer: Ricky Norwood - 'EastEnders'
Most Popular Drama: 'Waterloo Road'
Digital Choice: 'The Inbetweeners'
Most Outstanding Serial Drama Performance: Lacey Turner - 'EastEnders'
Most Popular Entertainment Presenter: Ant & Dec
Topical Magazine: 'This Morning'
Most Popular Factual Programme: 'Top Gear'
Most Popular Talent Show: 'The X Factor'
Most Popular Serial Drama: 'EastEnders'
Most Outstanding Drama Performance: David Jason
Special Recognition: Bruce Forsyth
