JOEL Dommett took a swipe at two stars in a thrilling NTAs opening number.
The Masked Singer host returned to present the National Television Awards once again.
The star’s rhyming opening number took a playful swipe at some of the famous faces in attendance.
Addressing The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh, Joel sang: “Bradley Walsh, second to none.”
He cheekily added: “God I wish I was your son.”
Using the phone from Deal or No Deal, the star later sang: “Hang on, there’s a call from the Banker.
“Said Stephen Mulhern is a… legend.”
Addressing the open number ahead of the ceremony, he exclusively told The Sun: “It felt like we needed to do something a little bit different so I decided to go for it.
“It’s tapping into a totally different skill set but I didn’t realise how much effort this idea is.
“I like to just scare myself every now and again – I won’t say too much about it, but it’s something that you wouldn’t expect from me and there is real potential for it to go wrong and not much potential for it to go right.”
In a different exclusive chat with The Sun, the star addressed taking on a new direction in his career.
He said: “Genuinely I would love to have my own chat show. I really would love to.
“Someone else said that to me recently, and it’s very difficult to know what people sort of want from me.
“It’s definitely something I would love to do and try to make it your own, and make it different.
“Especially because I feel, like, I know everyone now, you know.
Joel started out as an actor, landing small roles in shows including Casualty, Inspector Lynley and Skins.
But the funnyman has also presented or taken part in other big shows, such as:
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (2016 – runner up)
I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp (2017-2019)
Celebrity Juice (2018-2022)
Hey Tracey! (2019-2020)
The Masked Singer (2020-present)
The Masked Dancer (2021-present)
In With a Shout (2023-present)
“It’s getting to that point where hopefully I’m becoming a little bit more trusted, I suppose, in the industry.
“If people would watch it, I will happily do it.”
Joel made the jump into presenting after appearing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here back in 2016.
Aside from The Masked Singer, his projects have included spin-off The Masked Dancer and BBC1’s Survivor.
COMMENT BY ROD MCPHEE
THE only surprise at tonight’s National Television Awards was that there were virtually no surprises.
Ant and Dec took home Presenter Award for the millionth time, Strictly bagged the Talent Show gong and I’m A Celebrity triumphed in the Entertainment category.
Kate Garraway scooping the authored documentary award for Derek’s Story was entirely deserved, but not a total shock either as she’d already done the same two years ago with Caring for Derek.
There were a few curveballs. Emmerdale beating Goliath soaps EastEnders and Corrie was unexpected, particularly as the rivals have both boasted big storylines recently.
And though there was no doubting how hugely moving Mr BatesVs The Post Office was for viewers this year, it was still stunning to see them bag three awards.
Does the general lack of surprises diminish the thrill of the NTAs? Not at all. It remains one of the few awards shows which actually gauges what the majority of Brits are actually watching.
We live in a bewildering world where scandals often rock shows, in an age where streaming means the shared experience is diminished and ratings are hard to decipher.
But year in, year out NTA voters leave us in no doubt which shows they adore, which ones they’ve fallen out of love with, and which celebrities they’re prepared to back.
Look at how quickly relatively new shows like The Traitors, Bridgerton and The 1% Club have been embraced by NTA voters.
They aren’t interested in PR stunts and promotion, in highbrow actors and writers lauded by their fellow luvvies and they certainly can’t stand having what they ought to be watching dictated to them
They tell us all loud and clear, every year, who they consider to be the best – and woe betide any telly exec who ignores them.
