Ant and Dec have cemented their status as the kings of primetime television after winning the best TV presenter accolade at the NTAs for the 21st consecutive time.
They were unable to collect their award in person after both recently tested positive for Covid-19, with the trophy collected instead by Stephen Mulhern.
Oi @StephenMulhern, it took ages to write that speech!!! 😬🥊
— antanddec (@antanddec) October 13, 2022
Thank you SO much for voting for us, it is always appreciated and never taken for granted. You've made us feel tons better! Huge love ❤️
D #NTAs #NTA2022
But responding to the news on social media, they thanked fans "from the bottom of our hearts" and said it had made them feel "tonnes better".
McPartlin and Donnelly won their first National Television Award for most popular television presenter in 2001, for their work on Pop Idol.
At the 2022 awards, they once again fended off competition from fellow industry heavyweights including Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, and Graham Norton.
Collecting the award, Mulhern said McPartlin and Donnelly had given him a speech to read - but he ripped it up.
He added: "Full respect to the guys, 21 years on the trot, come on. But the reality is, this baby is coming home with me."
You look well fit though!
— antanddec (@antanddec) October 13, 2022
A https://t.co/vKzXB6CSbn
Responding to Mulhern's antics on Twitter, the pair wrote: "Oi @StephenMulhern, it took ages to write that speech!", later warning him to "keep that award safe".
Addressing their fans, they said: "Thank you SO much for voting for us, it is always appreciated and never taken for granted.
"You've made us feel tons better!"
In a separate tweet, the pair added: "From the bottom of our hearts we are so, so grateful. Love ya's!"
The pair announced they would not be able to attend the NTAs due to positive coronavirus tests on Wednesday, after revealing they had not been feeling well for several days.
"Sadly, it's true... We even get ill together," they said.
Source: Press Association
