David Farnor | On 22, Jan 2015

David Tennant wins Special Recognition Award at 2015 NTAs

David Tennant, along with many stars of the small screen, descended upon The O2 last night to take home the Special Recognition Award at the 2015 National Television Awards.

The prize was presented to the Broadchurch actor following a rendition I Would Walk 500 Miles by Pixie Lott and The Proclaimers, one of several surprises, as the ceremony introduced brand new awards for 2015: the TV Judge category, which was presented by Gogglebox’s Tapper Family via live video to David Walliams for Britain’s Got Talent; and the new Multichannel award, which was presented by Kris Jenner (who flew in from LA) to Celebrity Juice.

Flying in from a much shorter distance was Sheridan Smith, who got stuck in traffic before arriving late to collect her prize – beating Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch, Downton’s Maggie Smith and The Last Tango in Halifax’s Sarah Lancashire to be crowned Best Drama Performance for her role in ITV’s drama Cilla.

The rest of the evening was perhaps less shocking – Mrs. Brown’s Boys beat token US nominee The Big Bang Theory to bag Best Comedy – as the NTAs celebrated their 20th anniversary by honouring the favourite and familiar of British TV’s line-up. While The Walking Dead and Game Of Thrones were nominated for Best Multichannel Show, alongside Geordie Shore, both lost to Keith Lemon’s ITV2 panel show Celebrity Juice.

The awards are voted for entirely by the British public, revealing just how valued tradition can be among viewers. While the media landscape is changing, with the Golden Globes giving two top prizes to online-only shows Transparent and House of Cards and VOD usage on the up, some things stay the same. This year’s Landmark Award went to Comic Relief, which celebrates 30 years in 2015, while Best Entertainment Presenter went to duo Ant & Dec for a staggering 14th year in a row. Even Dermot O’Leary was back to host.

EastEnders largely stole the show, winning three gongs – including Danny Dyer (Best Serial Drama Performance) and the all-important Best Serial Drama – but Corrie’s cast and crew were out in full force to pay tribute to the sadly departed Anne Kirkbride. On-screen husband Bill Roache led with a moving speech, which prompted a minute of applause throughout the arena for the woman known to audiences across the UK as Deirdre. The way we watch telly may be changing, but there’s a lot to be said for tradition.

Here’s a full list of the 2015 NTA winners full:

Entertainment Programme – I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!

Drama Performance – Sheridan Smith

Skills Challenge Show – Great British Bake Off

Newcomer – Maddy Hill

Daytime – This Morning

Comedy – Mrs Brown’s Boys

Serial Drama Performance – Danny Dyer

TV Judge – David Walliams

Multichannel – Celebrity Juice

Chat Show Host – Alan Carr

Special Recognition Award – David Tennant

Factual – Gogglebox

Drama – Downton Abbey

Serial Drama – Eastenders

Talent Show – The X Factor

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