The opening sequence of the National Television Awards has been criticised by social media users(Image: (Image: ITV))

National Television Awards fans issue blistering attack minutes into 2024 ceremony

The National Television Awards 2024 kicked off with a performance from host Joel Dommett - but it seemed as though viewers at home were not impressed with the singing

by · The Mirror

Joel Dommett was front and centre as host of the star-studded National Television Awards.

All eyes were on the TV heavy-hitters who rocked up for the ritzy affair, each angling to snag the trophy they're up for. But mere moments into the awards bash, ITV audiences were all a-twitter with gripes galore about the show's get-go. Joel's musical intro had folks flocking to social media to drop their two pennies in.

A disgruntled viewer tweeted: "Most painful intro in some time! #NTAs." Another let rip with: "That was horrendous Joel.", reports the Express. One Twitter user remarked: "The singing intro thing only really works when it's someone that can actually sing," while another simply blurted out: "What the actual f**k is this? " Corniness got called out too, with a comment reading: "Oh how corny."

Celebs vying for the win, like Davina McCall, Bradley Walsh, and telly favourites Ant and Dec, all shared screentime with Joel during his musical bit. The act also saw Strictly's very own Anton Du Beke leap onto the stage, joining Joel for a jaunty jazz dance. Still, Joel took a second to poke fun at himself mid-tune, quipping about his own award drought: "So much talent to celebrated, me? I've not been nominated!"

Joel Dommett is hosting this year's National Television Awards( Image: (Image: ITV))

Post-song-and-dance, the NTA crowd zeroed in on who'd nab the Factual Entertainment gong. Though squaring off against heavy hitters like Clarkson's Farm and Yorkshire Vet, Stacey Solomon's Sort Your Life Out emerged triumphantly. The win clearly took her by surprise as she hugged her eldest son who was standing next to her.

Once on stage, the TV host admitted that she had been practising her losing face, not anticipating a victory. On her journey in the industry, she said: "I would not be where I am today without X Factor, and I'm so grateful for that opportunity. I brought my eldest son with me here tonight, which feels like full circle for me because he has been with me on this crazy journey since the very beginning, and we started it together, and now he's here and got to see his mother win an award!"

During the yearly ceremony, viewers will also witness celebrities receiving awards in categories such as Drama Performance, Serial Drama, Reality Competition and Comedy.