Dermot O’Leary was forced to think fast during this year’s National Television Awards, when a stage invader attempted to interrupt proceedings during one of the night’s focal points.
As the nominees were read out for the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award on Tuesday (23 January), an activist made his way onto the stage in an attempt to disrupt the broadcast.
However, as Brucie’s widow Wilnelia Merced read out the nominations, Dermot intercepted the protester, escorting him off the stage and towards security, who were waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs.
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
The man in question, who calls himself Dr A.C., previously stormed the stage during last year’s final of ‘The Voice’, where he was seen clutching a piece of paper, as he was last night.
He later posted a photo of what was written on the paper, which was a message about “oppression of ideas” and “murder [of] independent thinking” within the mainstream media.
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
However, he wasn’t the only one who managed to sneak onto the stage during this year’s NTAs.
‘The Chase’ presenter Bradley Walsh was spotted having crept on with the team from ‘This Morning’, after losing out to them in the Best Daytime Show category.
Holly Willoughby was heard exclaiming: “What a devil! Bradley Walsh is our new doctor, he’s taking over sexual health. So if anyone’s got an issue, come and speak to Doctor Brad.”
For a full list of winners from this year’s National Television Awards, including ‘Broadchurch’, ‘Love Island’ and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, click here.
NTAs 2018 Red Carpet
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Holly Willoughby (L) and Phillip Schofield attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Tess Daly attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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Kem Cetinay (left) and Chris Hughes attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 23, 2018. See PA story SHOWBIZ NTAs. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/PA Wire (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Gloria Hunniford (L) and Katie Price attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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Iain Lee and Shappi Khorsandi attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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Rochelle and Marvin Humes attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: (L to R) Kate Garraway, Susanna Reid and Charlotte Hawkins attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: (L to R) Jenny Ryan, Paul Sinha and Anne Hegerty of The Chase attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Ruth Langsford attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Laura Norton attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Christine Bleakley attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Susanna Reid attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Lacey Turner attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Joel Dommett attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: David Walliams attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Peter Andre attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Amir Khan attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Fearne Cotton attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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Jenny Ryan attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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Michelle Heaton attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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Holly Willoughby attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean attend the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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Charlotte Bellamy attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Laura Whitmore attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Olivia Attwood attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Stacey Solomon attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Denise Van Outen attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Roman Kemp attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Aaron Livesy attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: James White attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Tallia Storm attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Laura Wright attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Eden Taylor-Draper attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Phillip Schofield attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Angela Scanlon attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Vicky McClure attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Ellie and Izzi Warner attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Georgia Toffolo attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Georgia Harrison attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Seal attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Vicky McClure (L) and Martin Compston attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Danielle Armstrong attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Penny Lancaster attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Saira Khan, Nadia Sawalha, Denise Van Outen, Penny Lancaster, Linda Robison, Stacey Soloman, Andrea McClean, Gloria Hunniford, Katie Price and Kaye Adams attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Caroline Flack attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Shirley Ballas attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Sarah Harding attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Keith Lemon attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Megan McKenna attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Chelsee Healey attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Bradley Walsh, Donna Derby and Barney Walsh attend the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Tess Daly attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Tilly Keeper attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Pete Wicks attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Jodie Whittaker attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Caroline Flack attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Alison Hammond attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Kate Garraway attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Rebekah Vardy attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Vicky McClure attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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Montana Brown attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Mollie King attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Tilly Keeper attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Katie Price (R) and guest attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: David Walliams attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Maya Jama attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Suranne Jones attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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Catherine Tyldesley attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Vogue Williams (L) and Spencer Matthews attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Sarah Jayne Dunn and Lilah Parsons (right) attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Geri Horner attending the National Television Awards 2018 held at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Crossick - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Candice Brown (R) and Matt Evers attend the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Jessica Wright attends the National Television Awards 2018 at the O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Suranne Jones attends the National Television Awards 2018 at The O2 Arena on January 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)