Inside the National Television Awards: Ant and Dec claim their 22nd gong as they beat Alison Hammond to Best Presenter, Happy Valley scoops TWO prizes and This Morning is BOOED on a night of tears and triumph at the O2

It was a night of what if for Alison Hammond, but for Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly it was business as usual as the National Television Awards kicked off on Tuesday night.

Under the lights of London’s O2 Arena, Ant and Dec claimed their 22nd NTA at the annual ceremony following a successful return to the Australian jungle with ITV1 giant I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The pair claimed the award ahead of the coveted Hammond, notably selected ahead of her This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby in the Best Presenter category.

The co-hosts – who also competed with Martin Lewis, Claudia Winkleman and Bradley Walsh – admitted they were “more nervous than ever” before entering Tuesday night’s event, but were just as “humbled and grateful” to receive the honor as they ever were.

Ant said, “Thank you so much to the NTAs, we’ve got quite a long list of thanks, all the shows and the people we work with, we’re the happiest two men on television because we have the best production teams and the best people to to cooperate with you, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.’

His presenting partner Declan Donnelly added: ‘Thank you to ITV, Kevin and Katie and the whole team at ITV for your continued support. Thank you to our fantastic management team for your support, thank you gang, you are in the box somewhere.

“Thank you to our lovely wives, our beautiful children. I can’t believe we’re still getting away with this…”

Ant interrupted: Were you more nervous than ever?’

Dec agreed, “Even before my hands were sticky and my heart is throbbing but we’re as humbled and thankful tonight as the first time we won so thank you for taking the time to vote for us we really appreciate it. ‘

The ‘I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here!’ presenters promised to continue working together as long as possible.

Dec said, “We’ll see you on television again soon.”

Ant added, “We’ll keep doing it as long as you want us to keep doing it.”

Elsewhere, Danielle Harold cried as she accepted the Serial Drama Performance Award for her former role in EastEnders.

The actress appeared genuinely baffled as she took the stage after taking the accolade ahead of Emmerdale’s Dominic Brunt and Coronation Street stars Charlotte Jordan and Maureen Lipman in her portrayal of brain tumor victim Lola Pearce-Brown in the final days.

The actress accepted the award from Michelle Collins – who excitedly shouted ‘Yes’ as she read Danielle’s name – and said: ‘I literally… I really didn’t prepare anything, I thought this was the biggest, biggest, biggest shock was and I can’t believe I’m standing in front of the O2.

“I literally want to say to everyone who has had input into this storyline and the investigation: guys, this is for you.

“Please give money to Brain Tumor Research UK, they really need it.”

She added: “I just want to take a moment to say thank you to all the cast and Chris, and everyone who has supported me, Julia Crampsie who brought me on the show, guys, I love you guys so much without your support, I couldn’t do this, thank you very much.’

Earlier in the evening, credit for the TV interview went to The Graham Norton Show, but unlike category rivals Louis Theroux, Piers Morgan and Chris and Rosie Ramsay, the presenter was not at the ceremony to receive the award in person.

The Traitors won the Reality Competition award, while the third season of ‘Happy Valley’ took the Returning Drama honor.

The first prize of the evening, the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, was presented to Gogglebox.

Happy Valley also triumphed that night, with the show winning in the Returning Drama category, while actress Sarah Lancashire claimed the award for Best Dramatic Performance.

The actress faced stiff competition from her co-star James Norton, Queen Charlotte’s India Amarteifio, Vera’s Brenda Blethyn and Call The Midwife’s Judy Parfitt to claim the prize.

While accepting the award on stage, she said, “Thank you so much for this. I loved every scene, every moment of Happy Valley and I know I’ll never forget it.

She praised creator Sally Wainwright saying that she “is what makes Happy Valley” and that you are the “happiest actor in the world” if you understand her words.

Elsewhere in This Is England, actress Vicky McClure said she was “shaking” during Our Dementia Choir’s performance at the annual event.

McClure, 40, the founder of the choir, spoke live at the NTAs and said: ‘I am trembling with the pride I feel now as I witness Our Dementia Choir perform at the O2.’

She added: ‘Our mission is to share knowledge, raise awareness and support research to help find a cure, but also to remind everyone that with the right hearts and minds you really can change the lives of change people for the better.’

Joel Dommett kicked off the proceedings on Tuesday and told the audience: “My wife is actually nine months pregnant, she’s due now.”

He joked that when his partner, Hannah Cooper, goes into labour, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will be on standby to take her to the hospital.

Gogglebox took home the night’s first prize, the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.

The reality TV series beat out The Masked Singer and Ant and Dec, who were nominated for two of their shows, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! and Saturday night takeaway.