Lewis Capaldi says documentary response ‘means the world’ after NTA win

Lewis Capaldi has said the response to his programme where he opened up about his mental health struggles “means the world” to him as he won in the authored documentary category at the National Television Awards.

Earlier this year, the Scottish singer-songwriter shared how the pressures of fame have impacted him mentally and physically in the Netflix documentary, Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now.

The 26-year-old was up against Rob Burrow: Living With MND, Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction and the documentary following the late Dame Deborah James, who set up the Bowelbabe cancer research fund, and died last year at the age of 40 after suffering from bowel cancer.

Capaldi was not able to collect the award in person as he is currently in America, but sent a video message where he said: “I have to say thank you so so so much if you voted or even if you just watched the documentary, it genuinely means the world and it never ceases to blow me away how much this documentary has connected with people and struck a chord.

“Thank you to everyone who was involved in making it with me. I’m sorry, I can’t be there tonight. I’m in America at the minute otherwise I would be.”

He also praised his fellow nominees, hailing them as “incredible” for creating their programmes.

The singer said he learnt through making the documentary that it is “not easy” and for them to open up about their stories and struggles.

Happy Valley and Sarah Lancashire also enjoyed a big night as the show won the returning drama prize and the actress won the best drama performance award and the special recognition award.

The BBC crime series beat out medical drama Call The Midwife, Netflix sci-fi hit Stranger Things and detective series Vera at the annual award ceremony held at The O2 in London on Tuesday night.

Asked in the show’s winners’ room if she thinks her casting will encourage more storylines starring older females, the 58-year-old actress said: “I do hope.

“I think things are changing and they’ve needed to change for a long time, evolution is slow but we’re catching up.”

She confirmed there will not be another series after their success as she feels the show is complete, adding: “It was a story told as a trilogy which has been a great way to tell a story arch.

“The danger is you carry on and it losses its potency but I think this way it keeps it on top.”

The actress also praised the “calibre of writing” by creator Sally Wainwright and the production team.

As she picked up the best drama performance award, seeing off tough competition from her co-star James Norton, Queen Charlotte’s India Amarteifio, Vera’s Brenda Blethyn and Call The Midwife’s Judy Parfitt, she said: “Thank you so much for this. I have adored every scene, every moment of Happy Valley and I know I will never forget it.”

Comedian Joel Dommett kicked off the show by introducing some of the nominees before he told the audience: “My wife is actually nine months pregnant, she is due basically now.”

He joked that if his partner, Hannah Cooper, goes into labour, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are on standby to take her to the hospital.

Reality TV series Gogglebox took home the first award of the night, The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, seeing off tough competition from The Masked Singer and Donnelly and McPartlin who were nominated for two of their shows, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway.

BBC’s The Traitors also received the award for best reality competition and The Graham Norton Show won in the new TV interviews category, beating Piers Morgan Uncensored on Talk TV, Louis Theroux Interviews… and The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show to claim the prize.

Norton appeared on a video link to collect the award, saying: “I’m so sorry I can’t be there. Finally, I win a National Television Award and I’m not there.”

He added: “This award, winning it means so much. Mostly it means that Ant and Dec don’t have a talk show… yet. Don’t do it to me, boys.”

The Our Dementia Choir delivered a moving performance during the show, with This Is England actress Vicky McClure admitting she was “shaking” during it.

McClure, who is the founder of the choir, told the audience: “I am shaking through pride that I am feeling right now to witness Our Dementia Choir playing at the O2.”

She added: “Our mission is to share knowledge, raise awareness and aid research to help find a cure, but also to remind everyone that with the right hearts and minds you really can change people’s lives for the better.”