ntas

Top 10 facts about the National Television Awards

January 16, 2015

As the stars of the small screen await their fate at the National Television Awards on Wednesday, we have top ten facts about the annual awards, which are celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2015. With Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Simon Cowell and Benedict Cumberbatch all nominated for the television awards, we have a glimpse at some of the show's most memorable moments. 1) Soldier Soldier won the first ever NTA in 1995. The hugely popular series won the Drama prize. 2) Stars have arrived at the NTAs by helicopter, the tube, speed boat, limo, London bus, motorbike, Thames clippers, private jet, black cab, police van and tardis.

© Photo: Getty Images

Stars of Eastenders arrive at the NTAs on a London bus

3) The NTAs have been held at London's O2 arena for six years. The National Television Awards in 2010 were the first primetime TV event to be broadcast live from the arena.

4) 14 million viewers saw Judy Finnigan's bra at the 2000 NTAs.

© Photo: Rex

Dermot O'Leary has presented the awards since 2010

5) Three serving British Prime Ministers have presented at the National Television awards – Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

6) NTA host Dermot O'Leary has spent 12.5 hours hosting the awards live from the O2 since 2010.7) 52 trophy nameplates for all potential winners are prepared ahead of the awards.

8) The longest standing ovation was two minutes and 24 seconds long, in honour of the New York Fire Chiefs who attended the awards just five weeks after 9/11 in 2001. 9) Coronation Street star Sam Aston became the youngest winner ever when he won Best Newcomer in 2004 aged 11.10) The NTA trophy weighs in at just over 1.745kg and stands 35cm tall.

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