Strictly Come Dancing stars will be absent from tonight's National Television Awards (NTAs) due to a scheduling conflict with the filming of the show's launch episode, not because of Thomas Skinner's recent outburst at a press event.
The NTAs take place at the O2 Arena on 10 September, the same day the launch show is being recorded. Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, along with judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, will be busy introducing the 15 new celebrities and revealing their professional dance partners. The episode is pre-recorded and will air on 20 September.
Thomas Skinner, a former Apprentice star and this year's contestant, made headlines on 9 September when he stormed out of the show's official press launch after taking issue with being recorded. He snatched a reporter's phone and left fellow contestant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to answer questions alone. Despite speculation that Skinner might be dropped, a BBC insider told The Mirror that he is expected to continue.
Despite the absence of Strictly stars, the show itself has been nominated in three categories. Strictly is up for Best Talent Show, a category it has won for nine consecutive years. Claudia Winkleman is nominated for Best Presenter for her role in The Traitors, and professional dancer Amy Dowden is nominated for Authored Documentary for her BBC documentary 'Cancer and Me', which chronicles her battle with breast cancer. If she wins, her parents will collect the award on her behalf.
