Stars arriving for the 30th National Television Awards in London on Wednesday night included several outfits that drew sharp media attention, with Tasha Ghouri, Olivia Hawkins and Brooke Vincent among those highlighted in coverage of the event's red carpet.
The NTAs, which have been decided entirely by the public since their launch in 1995, returned to the O2 Arena for a ceremony marking three decades of the awards. Attendees included household names from soap operas, prime-time dramas and reality television as the British public's votes determined nominations and winners across a wide range of categories.
Media reports noted a variety of styles on the red carpet, singling out specific looks that divided commentators. Tasha Ghouri, known for her appearance on Love Island, was photographed in a sheer black corset dress with a tulle skirt that revealed her underwear. Olivia Hawkins wore a strapless baby-pink gown with jewel embellishments on the back of the corset that some outlets criticised. Brooke Vincent, typically associated with glamorous looks, arrived in a grey suit cinched at the waist with a black leather scarf; observers described the outfit as notably understated for a high-profile awards night.
Other arrivals that attracted commentary included Anna Williamson, who wore a white shirt with wide-leg black trousers; Anna Whitehouse, who opted for a one-shoulder purple gown adorned with satin flowers; and Christiaan de Vries, who appeared in a bright-pink blazer and shorts paired with black leather leg bands. Natalie Casey's ensemble — a satin salmon-pink dress layered under a bold vintage jacket, completed with chunky baby-pink platform heels and metal-framed sunglasses — was also singled out in red carpet coverage.
The red carpet arrivals were presented by Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks for the second year running. Many of television's biggest names were nominated across categories that reflect the range of British viewing habits from soaps and dramas to entertainment and comedy. Long-running presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were again among the favourites in the TV Presenter category, with the pair widely expected to continue their run after previous consecutive wins. They are also associated with I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, which was shortlisted in the Reality Competition category alongside Love Island, Race Across the World and The Traitors.
This year’s drama nominations reflect a busy period for scripted television. Netflix's Adolescence, praised in some reviews for Owen Cooper's performance, featured in the Best Drama shortlist along with titles including Code of Silence, Ludwig, MobLand and Rivals. Serial dramas such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale were also among contenders in the Best Serial Drama category, a field that included Casualty, EastEnders and Hollyoaks.
The ceremony, broadcast live on ITV2, interspersed award presentations with entertainment performances. Voting for the NTAs is open to the public through post, telephone and online, and organisers described the event as a celebration of the nation's most popular shows and stars.
Red carpet commentary is a customary element of awards-night coverage and often produces sharply divergent views. While some attendees drew criticism from fashion commentators, others were praised for more traditional red carpet glamour. Coverage of the NTAs traditionally balances reaction to fashion with the outcomes of public voting and the night's prize winners.