By Hannah Roberts

Copyright standard

Former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker has won the TV presenter prize at the National Television Awards, breaking the 23-year streak of Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

Lineker, 64, was shortlisted for the award just months after his early exit from the BBC show in May, following a row after he shared a post about Zionism which featured a depiction of a rat – historically an antisemitic insult.

Collecting the award, he said: “I think it demonstrates that perhaps it’s okay sometimes for us to use our platform to speak up on behalf of those who have no voice.”

Lineker also said that Ant and Dec are “brilliant”, and added that “it’s an honour to follow in their footsteps” when he was questioned at the winner’s press conference.

The former footballer also beat competition from The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman, This Morning’s Alison Hammond and TV presenter and reality TV star Stacey Solomon.

Meanwhile, comedian Michael McIntyre said he would like to win three NTAs following an early victory at the ceremony on Wednesday.

Collecting the Bruce Forsyth entertainment gong for Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, he said: “I’ve sat in the front row many, many times with my feet on the bottom stair and never won this prize. This is an excellent turn of events.”

At the winner’s press conference, he added: “I would like to win three National Television Awards, actually, tonight.

“I doubt that’s going to happen, but we are nominated for another two awards, so that’s good. That would be a start, but I doubt that’s going to happen.”

Elsewhere, Michael McIntyre’s 25th Year Stand-Up Special is nominated alongside sitcom Gavin And Stacey: The Finale, stalwart Mrs Brown’s Boys and crime comedy Brassic for the comedy genre award.

Also nominated is Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, which is up against Richard Osman’s House Of Games, The 1% Club and The Chase in the quiz show category.

Jeremy Clarkson said he was “genuinely thrilled” as Clarkson’s Farm won best factual entertainment show at the ceremony.

Speaking in the winner’s room, he said: “I’d like to think that this is for farming because it demonstrates that people who watch the show go, ‘bloody hell farming’s difficult’, and have voted for this show.”

Elsewhere, Call The Midwife was named best returning drama and EastEnders actor Steve McFadden won the award for serial drama performance.

Another award went to I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for best reality competition.