It was a great night for the Irish at the National Television Awards last night with both Peaky Blinders starring Irishman Cillian Murphy and Mrs Brown's Boys being honoured.
Ricky Gervais was also nominated for his series
After Life. Up against the likes of
Derry Girls,
Sex Education and
Fleabag, the win for 'Best Comedy' went to Ireland's own
Mrs Brown's Boys.
Category winners are decided by public vote. Gracious in defeat, Ricky Gervais tweeted his response to the decision.
https://twitter.com/rickygervais/status/1222320293919760384
Fans were quick to reassure him, with one tweeting: "mate you're still one of the top 10 funniest people on the planet right now, don't worry about it".
The cast of Mrs Brown's Boys, however, was delighted with the outcome, celebrating their fifth NTA win.
https://twitter.com/MrsBrownsBoys/status/1222254043097157632
Peaky Blinders was in the running for 'Best Drama', winning out against
Line of Duty,
Killing Eve,
Call the Midwife and
Casualty. Irishman Cillian Murphy bagged the Best Drama Performance on the night as well.
Murphy's co-stars Sophie Rundle, who plays Ada Shelby, and Harry Kirton, who plays Finn Shelby, accepted the award on his behalf. Unable to attend the ceremony in person, he expressed his gratitude in a pre-recorded message.
"I'm very, very touched and very honoured and very humbled to receive this award, this evening. Particularly 'cause it's voted for by you guys, and it confirms to me that Peaky Blinders fans are the best in the world. So loyal, so imaginative and so good at voting...I'm gonna dedicate this award to you guys".
https://twitter.com/OfficialNTAs/status/1222280572506116097
Other
winners include
Strictly Come Dancing for 'Best Talent Show', Ant & Dec for 'Best TV Presenter' (for the 19th year running, might I add) and
Gavin & Stacey for the 'Impact Award'.
