Strictly Come Dancing shakes off Giovanni and Graziano scandals with huge haul of NTA nominations
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s loyal fans are still giving the beleaguered show top marks — putting it in line for three National Television Awards.
Despite ten months of allegations of inappropriate behaviour behind the scenes, the BBC One hit has been nominated in the Talent Show category.
Claudia Winkleman — who co-hosts with Tess Daly — is up for the best TV Presenter gong and judge Anton Du Beke has a nod in the Expert category.
The NTAs are entirely voted for by the public, and a TV insider said: “This is a much-needed vote of confidence.
“The show has been buffeted by a string of allegations recently. This shows that though the public are shocked by the revelations that have emerged, they also love the show and want to lend their support.
“In previous years other shows that have fallen out of favour have suffered when it came time for the nominations.
“But it seems Strictly is still being backed to the hilt by millions of Brits.”
The hat-trick of nominations for the show — celebrating its 20th anniversary — comes after pro dancer Giovanni Pernice was investigated for alleged bullying behaviour towards actress Amanda Abbington on last year’s show.
The findings of the lengthy BBC probe are expected to be revealed this week.
Meanwhile fellow Italian pro Graziano Di Prima was sacked after video footage emerged of him allegedly kicking his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott.
The spotlight also turned on Anton, with his behaviour scrutinised too.
Some viewers asked why the former dancer had not been sacked for saying in 2009 that a fake spray tan left partner Laila Rouass looking like a “P***”.
Actress Laila said that he had apologised and added: “I do not believe Anton is racist.”
Other NTA nominations see a showdown between stars Robbie Williams and David Beckham.
Their self-titled Netflix autobiographies are both in the Authored Documentary category.
And there is a regal head-to-head between the Netflix period dramas Bridgerton and The Crown.
Meanwhile Jeremy Clarkson is likely to be favourite to win Factual Entertainment for Amazon smash Clarkson’s Farm.
Diddly Squat Farm sidekick Kaleb Cooper is nominated in the Expert category.
Stacey Solomon is nominated in the Presenter category and for Factual Entertainment for BBC One’s Sort Your Life Out.
The final round of voting will now decide the winners, to receive their gongs at London’s O2 on September 11 at 8pm.
It will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.
It's Mr Bates vs Reindeer
By Rod McPhee
AN EPIC clash is set to unfold at the NTAs with two of this year’s most shocking dramas going up against each other in major categories.
Netflix’s controversial stalker series Baby Reindeer is nominated for the New Drama category, and its leading lady, Jessica Gunning, is up for the Drama Performance gong.
Also earning two nominations in both categories is ITV’s Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which tells the real-life story of the Horizon IT scandal that saw hundreds of subpostmasters wrongly accused and then convicted for theft and fraud.
Actor Toby Jones is also up for the Drama Performance award for his role as Alan Bates, the man who led the victims’ fight for justice.
But both shows could be eclipsed by key rivals in the New Drama category, such as Netflix love story One Day and thriller Fool Me Once, as well as ITV1’s Red Eye.