Molly‑Mae Hague was awarded the Authored Documentary prize at the National Television Awards on Wednesday, a result that prompted sharp criticism from viewers who said other nominees, including a documentary about the late Rob Burrow, were more deserving.
Hague collected the gong for Molly‑Mae: Behind It All, a six‑part Prime Video series that chronicles the former Love Island contestant’s efforts to launch a fashion brand following her split from boxer Tommy Fury. The programme won over a field that included There's Only One Rob Burrow, Flintoff, and Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me.
Onstage, Hague joked that she had lost a shoe as she made her way to the microphone and said, "Just to be nominated for this award was such an honour. I think as you guys saw, we were up against some seriously inspirational people in this category." The NTAs ceremony, now in its 30th year, is determined by public vote.
Viewers took to X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, to express dismay at the outcome. Messages quoted by broadcasters and social outlets included calls for an explanation of how Hague triumphed over what some described as more inspirational work, and criticism that the country had voted for an influencer over a family tribute to a man who died of motor neurone disease.
Rob Burrow, a former rugby league player whose documentary charted his battle with motor neurone disease, died last year at age 41. His programme was widely expected by some viewers to be a leading contender in the category.
Organisers staged a full evening of awards recognising popular television across drama, entertainment and factual categories. Other winners announced during the ceremony included Wednesday for new drama, Happy Valley for returning drama, Ant & Dec for TV presenting, Sarah Lancashire for drama performance for her role as Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley, Gogglebox for the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, EastEnders for serial drama, and Strictly Come Dancing as the nation’s favourite talent show.
The NTAs, inaugurated in 1995, allow the public to vote for their favourite shows and performers; voting has historically been conducted by post, telephone and online. This year’s red carpet arrivals were hosted for a second consecutive year by Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks.
Producers and broadcasters have in recent years navigated tensions between public voting outcomes and critical opinions, particularly in categories that include both celebrity‑led programming and more hard‑hitting documentaries. The NTAs’ reliance on public votes means winners reflect the preferences of those who participate in the poll rather than the assessments of industry juries.
Representatives for Hague did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on the social media reaction. The Burrow family and producers of There's Only One Rob Burrow were not reported to have issued statements about the outcome on Wednesday.
The ceremony continues a long tradition of audience-driven recognition in British television, even as debate persists about how best to compare programmes with divergent aims — from personal lifestyle documentaries to tributes and medical chronicles — within the same award category.