It’s been over a month since the National Television Awards (NTAs) shook British television, but one moment still has the industry talking: Alison Hammond’s jaw-dropping declaration after This Morning controversially clinched the Daytime Award. The drama, however, didn’t stop on stage, as co-host Cat Deeley’s personal life added another layer of intrigue to the glittering night.
The victory, following two consecutive years of defeat to rivals The Repair Shop and The Chase, saw This Morning return to its former glory. But it was the usually jovial Friday host, Alison Hammond, 50, who took the stage and delivered the line that dominated headlines: “The natural order has been restored!”
The ‘Restored Order’: Alison’s Bold On-Stage Claim
Stepping up to the microphone first, Alison’s bold claim acknowledged the show’s dominance, while simultaneously nodding to the humbling defeats of 2023 and 2024.
“Can we just say a massive thank you to each and every person who voted for This Morning. We are so overwhelmed,” Alison proclaimed. “This award means so much. We’ve been humbled the last two years, we haven’t won this award. We don’t take it lightly that we won this award, we’re so grateful.”
The moment was electric, capturing the team’s relief and elation. Main hosts Cat Deeley, 48, and Ben Shephard looked thrilled, though it was Cat who followed up with the calmer, more diplomatic acceptance speech.
Cat stated: “We are so lucky to get to do this show, we all love it. Every single person who comes on, we love this show and it’s like having a family.”
While the This Morning team celebrated, viewers debated online whether Alison’s “natural order” comment was a sign of confident triumph or a subtle jab at the competitors they had finally vanquished.
Cat Deeley’s Ring Drama: A Pointed Gesture?
The NTAs red carpet, however, was dominated by the intense speculation surrounding Cat Deeley’s personal life—just weeks after she and her estranged husband, comedian Patrick Kielty, 54, announced the end of their marriage in July.
Cat made a deliberate, visual statement on the night. Photographers captured her boasting a wide smile at the O2 Arena, with a diamond wedding ring clearly in view on her left hand. This public display came shortly after she had been photographed swapping the dazzling rock to her right hand in a pointed gesture signifying her new life chapter.
The decision to wear the ring on her wedding finger for the biggest night in British TV baffled many, just weeks after the joint statement confirmed their separation, insisting “no other party” was involved.
The Kielty Family’s Unforgivable Snub
The complexity of Cat and Patrick’s split was further highlighted by reports detailing the deep emotional scars left on the Kielty family. Sources close to the family claimed they knew the marriage was “over for good” when Cat failed to attend Patrick’s beloved mother’s funeral back in March.
That ‘no show’ has reportedly left the Kielty family “seething,” cementing their view that reconciliation between the couple—who share two boys—was impossible.
Patrick himself broke his silence following the split announcement when he returned to his BBC Radio 5 Live show. In a jovial mood, he even joked about being overlooked for a major presenting role, suggesting he was focusing on work amidst the family turmoil.
As the dust settles on this year’s dramatic NTAs, the victory of This Morning remains secondary to the sheer audacity of Alison Hammond’s on-stage claim and the intriguing personal signals sent by Cat Deeley. It was truly a night where the personal drama overshadowed the professional triumph.
