The 22nd National Television Awards took place on Wednesday night at London's 02 Arena. Once again, it was a famous Geordie double act who dominated the evening's awards.

Ant & Dec have become one of the most successful duos to have graced television. They added another three NTAs to their growing trophy cabinet, whilst Graham Norton was given a huge surprise of the Special Recognition award.

Emmerdale won Best Serial Drama for the first time and Strictly Come Dancing prevailed in the Talent Show category.

17 years and counting

Ant & Dec won their first NTA back in 2001.

Even though the category title has been tweaked over the years, no-one seems to be able to loosen their grip on the 'Entertainment/TV Presenter' award. Michael Barrymore was the last winner of this gong in 2000 before their almost two-decade sweep of the trophy. They won it again in 2017, seeing off GBBO presenters Mel & Sue and Match of the Day anchor Gary Lineker.

They also won 'Entertainment Programme' for their Saturday Night Takeaway show which returns for its latest run at the end of February and beat Great British Bake-Off in 'Challenge Show' for I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

It was a night of familiar winners. This Morning won an NTA for the seventh successive year, winning the 'Magazine' category.

Main host Phillip Schofield dedicated the award to their late agony aunt Denise Robertson, who sadly passed away last April after a short illness. For the third year running, 'Factual Entertainment' went to the huge Channel 4 hit Gogglebox. There was back-to-back success too for The Chase. The ITV teatime quiz programme has achieved great viewing figures and with Bradley Walsh as host, continues to deliver.

They won 'Daytime Programme' which began with a gagged Piers Morgan walking onto stage with co-presenter Susanna Reid following a fairly controversial week on Good Morning Britain.

Emmerdale wins the soap battle

'Serial Drama' has always been hotly-contested with Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders all producing bigger, dramatic plots with every passing year.

For the first time in NTA history, it was Emmerdale who took home the main prize. Actress Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater in EastEnders won 'Serial Drama Performance.' Corrie didn't go home empty-handed though. Faye Brookes took the 'Newcomer' award.

In a hotly-contested 'Drama' category, BBC medical drama Casualty was a surprising winner, seeing off the likes of Cold Feet and The Night Manager. This is the perfect way for Casualty to celebrate their 30th year on the air. The awards kept coming for the BBC as Mrs. Brown's Boys edged out Benidorm to win the award for 'Comedy Programme.' Plus, in a category that included the retiring Len Goodman, singer Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell, it was Mary Berry from the Great British Bake-Off who won 'TV Judge.' GBBO moves to Channel 4 now whilst Mary stays with the BBC.

Can the programme survive without her?

Call The Midwife beat big-hitters Poldark and Victoria to triumph in 'Periodical Drama' and Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire was the winner of 'Best Drama Performance.'

A Norton surprise

The 'Special Recognition' award has always produced the most memorable moments of any National Television Awards evening and it was no exception in 2017.

Graham Norton has been a very popular figure on our screens for the past three decades. Starting out on Channel 4 with his chatshows in the mid-90s, he has been a fixture on BBC's Friday nights since succeeding Jonathan Ross in 2010. His charm, wit and humour has made him a brilliant watch and this means some of Hollywood's finest can relax on the show.

Norton has also been the Voice of Eurovision for several years and again, his commentary during some of the weird and wonderful performances means it still appeals to many, despite Great Britain's constant poor showings on the leaderboard.

All in all, it was another great night but once again, it was Ant & Dec who took home the main gongs.