National Television Awards set for major drama as stars from Strictly and Doctor Who battle for gongs

IT is the year of friendly rivalry at the 2024 National Television Awards – as closely linked stars vie with each other for a gong.

The longlist of potential winners is out today, with 15 categories reflecting TV’s biggest trends and moments of the past year.

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David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa are both up for Drama Performance for playing everyone’s favourite Time Lord in Doctor Who.

They are effectively competing for the same role in the same episode, with one doctor regenerating into the other on BBC One in December.

The show, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, could also triumph in the Returning Drama category.

Meanwhile, it is a family affair for Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse, who is on the list for the returning “Expert” category, along with big sister Motsi from BBC One’s Strictly.

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The other three Strictly judges — Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood — will be competing with Motsi in the same category.

Other relatives who will be vying for an NTA include Bradley Walsh, up for Best TV Presenter, while son Barney is in with a chance of winning Best Serial Drama Performance for his role in BBC One’s Casualty.

Coleen and Wayne Rooney are both in the running in the Authored Documentary category.

Her Disney+ show, The Real Wagatha Story, is up against Prime Video’s Rooney, which charts her husband’s incredible football career.

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There will be more divided loyalties for Claudia Winkleman, who is also on the list for TV Presenter. Two of her series, Strictly and The Piano, are up for Talent Show.

Luckily, The Traitors, which she also fronts, is in the Reality Competition category.

Baby Reindeer is on the list for New Drama, with its leading stars Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning competing for Drama Performance.

But it will face competition from Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, which is also up for four awards — New Drama plus potential gongs for three of its actors, Toby Jones, Monica Dolan and Katherine Kelly.

There will also be two awards, Special Recognition and Impact, that will be revealed on the night.

But in every other category, the power is in the viewers’ hands, so get voting and you can decide who triumphs at the ceremony at the O2 in London on September 11 as Joel Dommett returns to host.

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BATHTIME BLUSHES FOR JUDI

THE failing eyesight of Judi Dench has led to some unintentionally undignified behaviour.

During a fundraiser at The Watermill Theatre in Bagnor, Berks, the veteran actress revealed she gave her gardener Geoff a right eyeful.

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Dame Judi said: “I have very low windows in my house and because now I can’t see, I had my bath and dropped the sleeve of my dressing gown into the bath and flipped it out.

“I went to put it outside (to dry) and Geoff was there in front of me. I went, ‘Oh Geoff’.”

She also once flashed to her pals, fellow actors Ben Whishaw and Christopher Logan, after mistakenly Facetiming them when she was taking a bath.

Judi had only meant to send a birthday message to Chris, who was walking with Ben, from her mobile.

I think she should just get a shower fitted.

A TRIO of English stars will join series two of Netflix’s The Sandman, which is based in the DC Comics creation.

They are Hanna actress Esme Creed-Miles, Hustle’s Adrian Lester and former Holby cast member Barry Sloane.

Production began this year and it is due to drop in 2025.

STEPHEN BRISTOL FLANNEL

STEPHEN MERCHANT has revealed how he used artistic licence to get Christopher Walken for his comedy-drama The Outlaws.

He travelled to America to charm the Hollywood A-lister with a glowing review of Bristol, where the show is filmed. And he sealed the deal as the US actor made him an omelette.

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Stephen told Radio Times: “I wasn’t hungry, I’d just eaten a huge hotel breakfast, but when Christopher Walken personally cooks you an omelette, it’s rude to say no.

“What’s Bristol like?” Chris asked. “It’s very hilly, on the water, with a giant suspension bridge. It’s exactly like San Francisco.”

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The Outlaws returns to BBC One on May 30.