By CAROLINE PEACOCK, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 16:54 EDT, 10 September 2025 | Updated: 18:00 EDT, 10 September 2025

National Television Awards viewers have reacted to the awkward moment Maura Higgins and Danny Jones reunited on stage to collect a gong.

The Love Island star, 34, and the McFly singer, 39, stepped up together as I’m A Celebrity scooped the prize for Best Reality Competition.

The pair hit headlines in February after sharing a drunken kiss together at an afterparty of the BRIT Awards – also held at the O2 Arena.

The McFly singer, 39, saw his marriage to model Georgia rocked after being pictured cosying up to Maura at a Universal Records party, with further reports claiming the pair had continued their night until 6am, sharing wine together at Nobu Hotel bar. 

Since the scandal, neither Danny or Maura have been attended any of the same events, but on Wednesday they were forced to share the same stage after I’m A Celeb’s win.

With hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly absent to collect the gong, the 2024 I’m A Celebrity cast took to the stage all together, with Danny giving the acceptance speech as the reigning champion, while Maura stood mere feet away.

National Television Awards viewers have reacted to the awkward moment Maura Higgins and Danny Jones reunited on stage to collect a gong

National Television Awards viewers have reacted to the awkward moment Maura Higgins and Danny Jones reunited on stage to collect a gong

The pair hit headlines in February after sharing a drunken kiss together at an afterparty of the BRIT Awards - also held at the O2 Arena pictured)

 The pair hit headlines in February after sharing a drunken kiss together at an afterparty of the BRIT Awards – also held at the O2 Arena pictured)

Fans flooded X with comments about the encounter, with some insisting it was one of the most painfully awkward moments of the night. 

They said: ‘Danny and Maura on stage …… I wouldn’t be happy if I was the wife

‘Was really hoping Maura wouldn’t be there. I know Danny and Georgia have moved past what happened but it must be hard for Georgia seeing them onstage together’,

‘The MESS of danny and maura being in the same shot after what happened at last years NTAs’,

‘Looool Danny and Maura having to share the same stage after everything’,

‘Let’s hope Danny and Maura can keep their hands off each other this time’,

‘Danny and Maura on stage together #NTAs.’

The red carpet arrivals are being hosted by another one of Maura’s former flames, Pete Wicks, alongside his best pal Sam Thompson for the second year in a row.

Since the scandal, neither Danny or Maura have been attended any of the same events, but on Wednesday they were forced to share the same stage after I'm A Celeb's win (seen on show together)

Since the scandal, neither Danny or Maura have been attended any of the same events, but on Wednesday they were forced to share the same stage after I’m A Celeb’s win (seen on show together)

Fans flooded X with comments about the encounter, with some insisting it was one of the most painfully awkward moments of the night

Fans flooded X with comments about the encounter, with some insisting it was one of the most painfully awkward moments of the night

At the awards, the best of TV will be honoured by the British public, who have been voting to recognise their favourite shows and talent. 

This is a milestone year for the NTAs, which are celebrating their 30th anniversary.

The awards were established back in 1995 to give the public a voice when it came to recognising TV talent – as previously, awards had always been dished out by industry professionals. 

Described as a ‘celebration of the nation’s most loved stars and shows’, people have had the opportunity to vote via post, telephone, and online. 

Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly are expected to win the TV Presenter award for the 24th year in a row. 

But last year, on their 23rd consecutive win, they said that they ‘know one year we’re not going to win it.’ 

Competition this year is fierce and they are up against Claudia Winkleman, Gary Lineker, Alison Hammond and Stacey Solomon. 

This is not the only award of note for Ant and Dec, as I’m A Celebrity is also up for the best Reality TV award. 

Once again, the category is full of fierce competition and the long-running jungle show is up against Love Island, Race Across the World and the increasingly popular The Traitors. 

The past year has been a monumental one for TV dramas and a standout hit was Netflix’s Adolescence. 

IndieWire praised Owen Cooper’s performance as child killer Jamie Miller as ‘enraging, emotional, horrifying, and heartbreaking in equal measure’. 

It will face other popular shows including Code of Silence, Ludwig, MobLand and Rivals in the Best Drama category. 

The red carpet arrivals are being hosted by another one of Maura's former flames, Pete Wicks , alongside his best pal Sam Thompson for the second year in a row (seen)

The red carpet arrivals are being hosted by another one of Maura’s former flames, Pete Wicks , alongside his best pal Sam Thompson for the second year in a row (seen)

And with the UK so well-known for its many soap operas, the Best Serial Drama is also set to be one of the fiercest competitions of the night. 

Shows including Coronation Street and Emmerdale have been enjoying record numbers of viewers after being placed on ITVX in October.

This allowed fans to tune into their favourites at a time that best suited them rather than having to wait to watch them live on TV and could give them the edge over other nominees Casualty, EastEnders and Hollyoaks. 

Also being recognised, and for the last time, is Gavin & Stacey, which aired its long-awaited final episode on Christmas 2024.

The awards, which are being broadcast live on ITV2, will be dished out between entertainment performances until half 10.  

NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS 2024: THE WINNERS

AUTHORED DOCUMENTARY 

Beckham

Rhod Gilbert: A Pain in the Neck

Robbie Williams

Rose Ayling-Ellis: Signs for Change

Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story – WINNER

BRUCE FORSYTH ENTERTAINMENT AWARD 

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway

The Graham Norton Show

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here – WINNER

The Masked Singer

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show

COMEDY 

Brassic

The Gentlemen

Ghosts

Mrs Brown’s Boys – WINNER

Not Going Out

DAYTIME 

The Chase – WINNER

Deal or No Deal

Loose Women

This Morning

The Repair Shop

DRAMA PERFORMANCE 

Brenda Blethyn (Vera)

Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer)

Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once)

Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs the Post Office) – WINNER

Vicky McClure (Trigger Point) 

EXPERT

Anton Du Beke (Strictly Come Dancing)

David Attenborough (Mammals) – WINNER

Kaleb Cooper (Clarkson’s Farm)

Martin Lewis (The Martin Lewis Money Show)

Torvill And Dean (Dancing on Ice)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT 

Clarkson’s Farm

Gogglebox

Martin Lewis Money Show Live

Sort Your Life Out – WINNER

The Yorkshire Vet

NEW DRAMA 

Baby Reindeer

Fool Me Once

Mr Bates vs The Post Office – WINNER

One Day

Red Eye

QUIZ GAME SHOW 

The 1% Club – WINNER

Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win

Beat the Chasers

Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel

Richard Osman’s House of Games

REALITY COMPETITION 

The Apprentice

Celebrity Big Brother

Love Island

Race Across the World

The Traitors – WINNER

RETURNING DRAMA 

Bridgerton – WINNER

Call the Midwife

The Crown

Trigger Point

Vera

SERIAL DRAMA

Casualty

Coronation Street

EastEnders

Emmerdale – WINNER

Hollyoaks

SERIAL DRAMA PERFORMANCE 

Angela Wynter (EastEnders)

David Neilson (Coronation Street)

Diane Parish (EastEnders)

Eden Taylor-Draper (Emmerdale)

Peter Ash (Coronation Street) – WINNER

TALENT SHOW 

Britain’s Got Talent

The Great British Bake Off

MasterChef

Strictly Come Dancing – WINNER

The Voice UK

TV PRESENTER 

Alison Hammond (This Morning)

Ant And Dec (I’m a Celebrity) – WINNER

Bradley Walsh (The Chase)

Claudia Winkleman (The Traitors)

Stacey Solomon (Sort Your Life Out)

IMPACT AWARD

Mr Bates vs The Post Office 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Davina McCall 

 

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