Sir David Attenborough has secured a landmark victory at the 2026 National Television Awards, claiming the TV Presenter trophy and ending more than two decades of dominance by Ant & Dec in the category.
The ceremony, held at London’s O2 Arena on 8 September 2026, saw the veteran broadcaster take the prize ahead of other nominees including Alison Hammond and the perennial Geordie duo. The win marks a significant shift for the awards, which are determined entirely by a public vote, as Attenborough’s enduring appeal across generations saw him break Ant & Dec’s long-standing winning streak.
History made in Drama Performance
The 2026 ceremony was also notable for a historic milestone in the Drama Performance category. For the first time in the NTA’s history, the shortlist was comprised entirely of female actors, featuring Sheridan Smith, Ella Bruccoleri, Judy Parfitt, and Ruth Jones.
Vicky McClure emerged as the winner, taking home the trophy for her role in the high-stakes thriller Trigger Point. In the New Drama category, I Fought The Law was named the winner, reflecting the public’s appetite for compelling legal storytelling over the past year.
One of the most poignant moments of the night occurred during the presentation of the Authored Documentary award. The prize was given to Our Girls: The Southport Families, a documentary that followed the families of the victims of the July 2024 stabbings as they navigated their grief and sought to honour their children’s memories.
Emmerdale and Strictly take top honours
In the world of serial drama, Emmerdale enjoyed a successful evening, securing the Serial Drama award. The ITV soap also saw Jeff Hordley recognised for his long-standing role as Cain Dingle, as he collected the Serial Drama Performance trophy.
Entertainment mainstays continued to perform well in the public vote. Strictly Come Dancing was named the winner in the Talent Show category, while Lee Mack’s The 1% Club took home the Quiz Show award. Comedian and presenter Alan Carr was also honoured during the evening, receiving the Special Recognition award for his career in television.
Viewers who missed the live broadcast can find the full list of recipients on the official National Television Awards website. The entire ceremony remains available to stream on catch-up via ITVX.
Full List of 2026 NTA Winners
- TV Presenter: David Attenborough
- Drama Performance: Vicky McClure (Trigger Point)
- New Drama: I Fought The Law
- Special Recognition: Alan Carr
- Authored Documentary: Our Girls: The Southport Families
- Serial Drama: Emmerdale
- Serial Drama Performance: Jeff Hordley (Emmerdale)
- Talent Show: Strictly Come Dancing
- Quiz Show: The 1% Club