Heartstopper fans fume as Triggerpoint scoops National Television Award for best new drama: ‘We need a recount!’

Fans of the Netflix series praised it for ‘changing lives’ with its LGBTQ+ storytelling (Picture: Faysal Hassan/Netflix)

Both Heartstopper and Trigger Point were nominated in the best new drama category at this year’s National Television Awards – but one set of fans is not happy with the outcome.

ITV drama Trigger Point scooped the gong following the show’s release in January of this year, with Vicky McClure Lana, an Afghan war veteran risking her life to protect the city from harm as part of a bomb-disposal team.

It’s safe to say Trigger Point is a stark contrast to Netflix series Heartstopper, which tells the story of Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, students at an all-boys grammar who strike up a romance.

Heartstopper has been praised for its meaningful impact on the LGBTQ+ community, with performances from Kit Connor (Nick) and Joe Locke (Charlie) inspiring viewers to come out to their own loved ones.

Alas, the best new drama NTA wasn’t meant for them, as a very stunned Vicky – also famous for her role in Line of Duty – taking to the stage to deliver her acceptance speech.

Naturally, audiences at home have been expressing their thoughts and feelings on Twitter, with plenty claiming revolutionary drama Heartstopper was ‘robbed’ of the trophy.

The ITV drama, starring Vicky McClure scooped the best new drama gong (Picture: Matt Frost, Jonathan Ford, Ross Ferguson)

Kit Connor and Joe Locke star as Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring in the coming-of-age series (Picture: Netflix)

‘Nahhh that’s ridiculous should’ve been Heartstopper,’ one fan raged after the result was announced.

‘Gutted for #Heartstopper at the NTAs, it deserved to win way over the other dramas,’ tweeted another.

A third, who didn’t even watch Heartstopper, only had to listen to the roar of the crowd at London’s Wembley Arena when their name was read out to feel the coming-of-age drama missed out.

‘I’ve not seen one episode of #Heartstopper but that roar from the crowd and then it didn’t win the NTA WELL AND TRULY ROBBED,’ the penned.

Another branded Trigger Point as a ‘cookie cutter show,’ claiming Heartstopper deserved to win for being ‘original.’

‘The British public again proving they shouldn’t be allowed to vote,’ said another.

However, Trigger Point fans were also out in force, with one hailing lead actress Vicky an ‘inspiration’ and saying the show deserved the award ‘so much.’

A second season of Trigger Point has been confirmed by ITV, following the immense response to the first instalment.

Likewise, Heartstopper has also been confirmed for not just one, but two more series, with filming underway as we speak.

The young cast – many of whom booked their first acting job with the series – were catapulted to fame and garnered millions of social media followers after Heartstopper laded on the streaming platform.

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In record-breaking numbers, Netflix viewers watched the series for 23,940,000 hours, globally (that’s a big ol’ number!)

Additionally, Heartstopper has made it to the top 10 in TV in 54 countries across the world.

Unsurprisingly, lead stars Joe and Kit (who you might recognise from Rocketman) were recognised by the NTAs in the rising star category, nomnated alongside Charithra Chandran from Bridgerton, and Paddy Bever from Coronation Street.

Heartstopper is available to stream now on Netflix, and Trigger Point streams on ITV Hub.

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‘This is just not possible!’