Gary Lineker Breaks Ant and Dec’s 23-Year Winning Streak
The National Television Awards 2025 turned out to be one of the most surprising ceremonies in years, as Gary Lineker pulled off a major upset. For over two decades, Ant and Dec had dominated the best TV presenter category, but this year their 23-year reign came to an end. Lineker, best known for hosting Match of the Day , was voted the winner by the public, making history in the process.
This moment came just months after he stepped down from the BBC’s flagship football show, where he had spent 26 years. His departure followed a series of controversies, particularly around his use of social media, which eventually led him to confirm that he would be leaving the corporation altogether. On stage, he thanked his colleagues and supporters, and made a pointed comment that winning the award showed it was acceptable to use one’s platform to speak out on behalf of those who do not have a voice. He also hinted that the public vote may have been influenced by his willingness to speak out. Asked about his future, Lineker admitted he wasn’t sure about returning to the BBC but said he was excited about upcoming work with ITV.
The night was filled with other big moments too. Gavin and Stacey picked up the comedy award for its Christmas finale, which drew over 20 million viewers. Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa, accepted the award with her trademark humor, joking with the crowd before heading offstage. She also paid tribute to James Corden, her co-writer and co-star, who could not be there but has reportedly been working with her on new projects.
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Michael McIntyre didn’t leave empty-handed either. While his stand-up special lost out to Gavin and Stacey , he collected the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award for his Big Show . In the reality competition category, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! triumphed over The Traitors , which had been one of the year’s most talked-about shows but surprisingly went home without a trophy.
A new drama also made headlines. Netflix’s Adolescence won both best new drama and best drama performance for 15-year-old Owen Cooper, whose portrayal of Jamie Miller gripped viewers nationwide. The show, centered on a teenager accused of murder, sparked huge debate earlier this year. Cooper, however, wasn’t present to collect his award.
Elsewhere, the beloved animated duo Wallace and Gromit received a special recognition award, while Molly-Mae’s documentary Behind It All claimed the authored documentary category. She expressed her surprise at the win, admitting the competition was filled with inspirational stories, and shared that she was already filming a second series.
Overall, the 2025 National Television Awards highlighted not only the enduring popularity of long-running shows and presenters but also the rise of fresh talent and unexpected winners. And while Ant and Dec’s long streak has finally been broken, the night proved that change in television is always just around the corner.
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