James Norton's NTAs absence explained after fan confusion over 'snub'

06 September 2023 , 09:48

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James Norton's NTAs absence explained after fan confusion over 'snub'

Happy Valley fans were baffled last night when James Norton appeared to be 'snubbed' at the National Television Awards – despite his starring role in the BBC show.

The gritty BBC drama won the Best Returning Drama gong at the star-studded ceremony at London's O2 Arena, but viewers were stunned when James, who plays Tommy Lee Royce in the series, was nowhere to be seen at the ceremony. Taking to the stage, Ishia Bennison, who plays Joyce Metcalfe, thanked Sarah Lancashire, who stars as cop Catherine Cawood. Praising the actress she gushed: "Our phenomenal cast, who are led by this outstanding woman to my right. She sets the bar so high."

But fans were left wondering where James was and, more importantly, why he wasn't mentioned on stage, as one tweeted: "Bit of a snub to James Norton ? Well Deserved tho #HappyValley #NTAs #NTAs2023 #NTA2023 #NationalTelevisionAwards." Another added: "Well that’s it. No James Norton so I’m off! #NTAs." While a third fumed: "Eh 1 who are you hen? And 2 nobody even mentioned James Norton #nationaltelevisionawards." [sic]

Happy Valley fans were baffled last night when James Norton appeared to be 'snubbed' at the National Television Awards (ITV)

Speaking in the winner's room, Sarah who won the Drama Performance award as well as a Special Recognition gong at the ceremony, was quizzed on where James was she said: "We are missing a few vital people, James Norton of course, Siobhan Finneran, they're all working...their filming schedules. They just can't be here." However, the actress, who shot to fame on Coronation Street, did pay tribute to the actor during her acceptance speech for the Drama Performance award as well as her other co-star, Siobhan.

Happy Valley was a huge hit with fans when the final series dropped earlier this year. Starring the James, Sarah and a whole host of talented actors, the final episodes came to a dramatic conclusion earlier this year, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. The show even broke records when its epic finale had 7.5 million viewers gripped.

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At the NTAs, both James and Sarah were up for Best Drama performance, but fans rushed to social media to congratulate the Cath Cawood star after finding out she had not only won the award, but that Happy Valley had triumphed in the Returning Drama category.

There has been much demand for a new series of the BBC drama, but James described the ending as "sort of perfect". He said earlier this year: "The ending was sort of perfect, in a Sally Wainwright (writer) sort of way. It was fireworks but it wasn’t fireworks. It was sitting over a kitchen table and that is where Happy Valley really thrived. That’s the heart of the whole show."

Victoria Johns