Want to know what it was really like to be at the awards ceremony? (Picture: Rex)

Being in the room at the National Television Awards (NTAs) – one of the biggest nights for British TV – was just as brilliantly surreal as it was chaotic.

The night was full of huge highs and massive lows for the nominees in attendance at London’s O2 arena, with the winners including national treasure Sarah Lancashire, Ant and Dec (surprise, surprise) and Strictly’s Bobby Brazier.

For the first time in more than a decade, This Morning lost out in the daytime category while also facing a torrent of boos from the audience, while EastEnders reigned supreme with a clean sweep for soaps.

Piers Morgan was hit with boos and hisses every time he was mentioned by host Joel Dommett – not that he didn’t love the attention, of course – while Alison Hammond looked just as deflated as her disappointed fans when she lost the TV presenter award to the I’m A Celebrity hosts.

But enough of what you undoubtedly would have seen on ITV’s TV broadcast – what was it really like to be there?

After sitting in the audience rows behind the celebrities and making our way to the afterparty to soak in the electric atmosphere, here’s the lowdown on the chaos that ensued behind the scenes.

Boos and hisses for Piers Morgan and This Morning couldn’t be missed

Minutes into the NTAs, third-time host Joel went straight for the jugular – mocking former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers by telling the audience to ‘say what you like about Piers Morgan’… and later referencing the time that the TalkTV host stormed out of GMB ahead of his exit.

Boos and hisses were also levelled in the TalkTV host’s direction from the audience, which reverberated around the arena from those sitting in the stands as others cheered for the TV personality.

Of course, Piers later appeared to revel in the attention on Twitter claiming that he’d never heard of Joel and describing the audience as being filled with ‘shrieking banshees’ – but he wasn’t the only one to receive boos on the night.

At mentions of This Morning, the ITV programme was also subject to negative reactions from the audience, as Holly and Alison maintained their smiley demeanours for the camera.

While the boos might have sounded faint in video clips captured at the event, they were unmistakable when you were in the room, and there was a short-lived air of discomfort over the jarring reaction.

Celebrities needed more telling off than audience

EastEnders stars James Bye and James Farrar brought the party atmosphere (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Speaking of the stars, they were living up such a raucous time at the NTAs that they ended up needing more telling off than the members of the public who’d bought tickets to come.

Sure, security had to step in to stop people from rushing to the back of the VIP area and queuing for selfies with their favourite stars, but the MC who took over from Joel in the ad breaks had to call out celebrities to sit down when the show was seconds away from resuming, as they kept on nattering away while catching with old friends and peers from the industry.

A rendition of Sweet Caroline had everyone on their feet and singing along with their hands in the air – with James Bye being scolded for getting up on his chair to lead the chant. But come on, it’s Sweet Caroline… who can blame him?!

Holly Willoughby put on a brave face amid This Morning backlash

It wasn’t meant to be for This Morning this year (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)

As the celebrities poured into the VIP area to find their reserved seats before the ceremony began, Holly cheerfully greeted the plethora of people who came to see her, dishing out hugs after sharing on the red carpet that she’d had a ‘difficult year’.

Looking as though she’d taken a leaf out of Marilyn Monroe’s book with her glamorous blonde waves, the presenter kept on smiling as the ITV programme was booed, while lending her support to Alison after her devastating loss to Ant and Dec – although it has been argued that she might have used her This Morning co-star as a ‘shield’.

Holly could be seen congratulating The Repair Shop team on their win in the daytime category, as the beloved BBC show broke This Morning’s previously indomitable streak.

While we were too far away to really discern Holly’s expression as she stood up to give Jay Blades a hug, she didn’t seem too perturbed by This Morning’s loss as sat with her This Morning castmates and chatted jovially with her peers when the cameras stopped rolling.

Supportive screams for Alison Hammond couldn’t save her from loss

Many were hoping Alison would stop Ant and Dec in their tracks (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)

Ant and Dec winning best TV presenter might have seemed inevitable, considering they’ve basically been unbeatable for more than two decades, but some were still holding out hope that the eternally joyous Alison would be the one to finally come out on top.

Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, even as an audience member could be heard screaming her name at the top of their lungs seconds before the winner of the category was revealed.

The NTAs are voted for by the public, so clearly Ant and Dec still hold a dear place in many people’s hearts… but if anyone deserved to knock them off their perch, it was Alison! She couldn’t hide her disappointment when the camera focused on her – nor should she.

We sadly didn’t spot Alison at the afterparty – but we have no doubt that if she’d been there, she would have been the life and soul of the star-studded gathering.

Bobby Brazier and dad Jeff couldn’t have been more adorable

It was so sweet to witness Bobby and Jeff’s father-son bond (Picture: Matt Crossick/Shutterstock for NTA)

There were many sweet interactions throughout the night, from Happy Valley’s Sarah Lancashire reducing everyone to tears with her heartfelt special recognition award speech, to a dog from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home barking on stage as the late, great Paul O’Grady was honoured.

One of the most heartwarming moments was between Bobby and his dad Jeff, with the EastEnders star paying sweet homage to his father in his speech as he received an NTA.

Members of the EastEnders cast wrapped their arms around Jeff as Bobby went up on stage, while the father and son shared an extremely long hug when they reunited at the seats, before remaining at each other’s sides at the afterparty. An inseparable duo!

While it was Bobby who was the centre of attention on the night, it was beautiful to see how Jeff had clearly been welcomed into the extended EastEnders family, while the soap’s cast couldn’t have been more excited when the 20-year-old won his award.

Prize for wildest party animals of the night goes to…

When the ad breaks were playing on TV, the party was really going in the arena.

The famous attendees were up on their feet boogying to tunes ranging from ABBA to One Direction – but the prize for biggest party animals of the night had to go to the buoyant and enthusiastic cast of EastEnders.

They were clearly on a high as the soap received win after win, on top of simply being in the mood to raise the roof of the arena, getting up on their chairs, wrapping their arms around each and singing at the top of their lungs. It was a brilliant sight to behold.

Chaotic afterparty atmosphere was electric

Strictly lovebirds Kai and Nadiya were among those having a bite to eat at the afterparty (Picture: Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock)

If you thought it sounded like the actual NTAs award ceremony was buzzing, you should have seen the afterparty.

The chatter in the packed room never quelled, as delicious bowls of food were handed out (if you could get to a waiter before the trays rapidly emptied) and glasses of wine were laid out on the bar ready for anyone to whip them up, with a soothing cello and piano playing jazzy music in the background before the DJ took over.

Strictly’s Nadiya Bychkova could be seen feeding her beau Kai Widdrington canapés, while EastEnders’ Jessie Wallace expertly balanced a glass of bubbly and her phone in one hand as she weaved in between the crowds.

Lioness legend Jill Scott left her I’m A Celebrity castmate Owen Warner and 2018 star Malique Thompson-Dwyer laughing as she bantered with them while sipping on a Heineken, as Sam Ryder oozed warmth while being swarmed by admirers.

Great British Bake Off stars Sandro Farmhouse and Janusz Domagała looked suave while dressed to the nines and taking a comfy seat in the room, while Strictly star Debbie McGee stood by a wall with a glass of water, watching the electric party unfold.

It didn’t matter that you could barely hear yourself talking – whipping your head around to take in all the celebrities chatting, laughing and letting loose brought the rollercoaster night to a joyful close.

The National Television Awards 2023 are available to watch on ITVX.

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Want to know what it was really like to be at the awards ceremony?