NTA 2025 SH0CK: Gary Lineker’s acceptance speech STUNS audience as he appears to MOCK Ant & Dec
There was a massive shock on the cards as Gary Lineker beat Ant and Dec to the prestigious Best Presenter gong at this year’s NTAs. The stunning triumph, announced by Alesha Dixon, saw the Geordie pair lose out on the honour for the first time in 24 years. Gary, who departed his longstanding role as host of BBC’s Match of the Day following the conclusion of last season, appeared astonished as he collected the award. Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have ruled the National Television Awards’ Best TV Presenter category for an extraordinary 23 straight years. But viewers were left gobsmacked by their latest loss.
And even Gary quipped he had claimed the “Ant and Dec trophy”. The star ribbed the Newcastle United supporters for their defeat in the same year their beloved Magpies finally secured silverware for the first time in 70 years. He continued to express that he believes it is vital for those in influential positions to “use our platform to speak up for those who have no voice”.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Ant and Dec pose with the Bruce Forsyth and TV Presenter awards during the NTAs 2024 at The O2 Arena on September 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images for the NTA’s) (Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)
One person commented: “They’ve been robbed!” A second commented: “How the heck did Ant & Dec not win Best Presenter? Utterly ridiculous. I know Gary Lineker is well respected but you cannot say with a straight face he is better than Ant & Dec. #NTAs”
A third wrote: “Tv Presenter. GARY LINEKER ITS A SHOCK! but I’d rather ant and dec win it again.”
A fourth fumed: “WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K. ARE PEOPLE MAD. Give it to Ant and Dec again!!! #NTAs.”
Veteran broadcaster Gary, 64, was recognised just months following his premature departure from BBC’s Match Of The Day in May.
Gary Lineker on the NTAs red carpet (Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)
He left his position as the principal host of BBC’s flagship football programme sooner than initially anticipated.
His departure arose from a string of controversies linked to his social media behaviour, particularly a post in May 2025 regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that featured a rat emoji. The rat image has been historically used in antisemitic propaganda and while Lineker said sorry for sharing the post, explaining he was unaware of the image, he said he “would never knowingly share anything antisemitic”.
Nevertheless, the furore resulted in the BBC confirming his premature departure from the programme, and also announced he would not feature in their coverage for the 2026 World Cup or the 2025/26 FA Cup.
The I’m A Celebrity hosts and former footballer competed against Claudia Winkleman, Alison Hammond and Stacey Solomon. Gary was accompanied at the ceremony by his sons and had previously quipped to presenter Joel Dommett that “an award would be nice” when asked what he wanted as Davina McCall massaged his shoulders.
Gary had gained the support of his The Rest is Football podcast colleague Alan Shearer before the announcement. Whilst many might have anticipated former Magpie Shearer to back his Geordie mates, the ex-Premier League icon is believed to have gone against expectations.
During the most recent episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, former Tottenham Hotspur striker Lineker disclosed his NTA nominations. He remarked: “I’m going to the NTAs tonight, I’ve been nominated chaps, nominated, how about that?”.
Both Shearer and Micah Richards provided their mate with some words of support, with the latter teasing: “Aw, go on Gaz, have you got any wind? Have you sent a text out or what to say, ‘I’m only turning up if I’m getting the award.'” He dismissed the idea, maintaining it was the “Ant and Dec award anyway,” implying he believed his chances of winning were slim. Shearer feigned surprise before adding: “I have voted for you, though.”
