Telling sign Ant and Dec may have been tipped about NTA loss after 23 year reign

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly broke their 23-year winning streakat the National Television Awards last night, but one move may have proved they knew it was coming. The Geordie duo had picked up a gong at the annual TV celebrations every year for over two decades.

For years, those pitted against Ant and Dec would resign in the fact they knew they would lose out to the Saturday Night Takeaway hosts. However, last night's ceremony marked the end of their impressive reign as Gary Lineker swooped in instead.

Others stars nominated included Stacey Solomon, Alison Hammond and Claudia Winkleman. Gary's win came just months after his early exit from BBC’s Match Of The Day in May.

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He even joked he had won the "Ant and Dec trophy" in his winner's speech. However, it seems Ant and Dec could have known they were going to miss out on the award as they skipped the ceremony.

The presenting duo were instead in South Africa, where they even discussed the possibility of losing the award. In a post on their joint Instagram, Dec said: "Hey team, just us coming to you from South Africa.

"Just wanted to say that now the votes are closed and it's in and it's all done. Thank you." Ant added: "There's nothing more we can do about it."

"So we want to say thank you to everybody who voted for us for the National Television Awards," Dec continued. Ant said: "We really appreciate it. Sorry we can't be there tonight but we are in South Africa!"

Addressing the outcome, Dec shared: "Whether we win or we lose, thank you for taking the time to nominate us. We will be out here fingers crossed to see what happens later."

The duo then admitted they wouldn't be able to watch the show as it wasn't available in the country. Ant quipped: "Text us," as Dec added: "Let us know if we win or not. Fingers crossed."

Gary's win comes after his early exit from Match of the Day following a series of controversies around his social media posts. Speaking after his win about his future, he said: "I really don't know. At the moment, I'm really looking forward to working with ITV and I've got a podcast business that I have to run so I'm not so sure. I've got so many great memories from such a long period at the BBC."

He added: "I don't think anyone thought I was cancelled. It was obviously just a mistake, an oversight. I was never in the slightest bit concerned for that but this is lovely and there's no doubt that there's perhaps a message here that it's ok to share your views and speak up for those who don't perhaps have a voice."

Prior to his win on Wednesday night, Gary had received the backing of his The Rest is Football podcast pal Alan Shearer. Whilst many might have expected former Magpie Shearer to support his Geordie pals, the ex- Premier League legend is thought to have bucked the trend and voted for his sports mate.

After laughing off the suggestion that he was only going to attend the ceremony if he won, Gary told the podcast it was the "Ant and Dec award anyway". He hinted he thought he had little hope of winning. However, Shearer acted shocked before adding: "I have voted for you, though."

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