Ant McPartlin struggles to hold back tears giving NTAs acceptance speech for Best Presenter - watch

'I’m shaking! It’s been a very emotional night tonight'

Ant and Dec made history at the National Television Awards last night, picking up three prizes, including best Challenge Show for I’m A Celebrity and the inaugural Sir Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award for Saturday Night Takeaway.

Their most notable victory, however, was in the Best Presenter category. While you would think picking up the award for the 17th consecutive time would be no big deal, the opposite proved true.

As has been well publicised, Ant checked into rehab last year, candidly speaking to the press beforehand about his battle with depression and crippling drug abuse.

After becoming clean of substances, Ant joined Dec to present the past season of I’m A Celebrity, the duo making a much-celebrated return to TV.

“I’m shaking! It’s been a very emotional night tonight. It’s been quite a year,” Ant told the NTA audience, holding back tears. “It’s been quite a tough 12 months so winning this tonight really, really means a lot, so thank you for all your support, it really means the world to me, it’s helped me get through.”

Looking towards his co-presenter, Ant added: “And thanks to you little guy. I love you man. Let’s not cry!”

Dec then took to the microphone: “It has been quite the year so this has really topped it off. Thank you so much to everybody who’s taken the time to vote for us, it is really, really appreciated – possibly this year more than any other. We thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.”

The duo faced stiff competition in the category, managing to beat Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, and Phillip Schofield. Read the full list of winners here.