Helen Flanagan and Ashley Roberts collected the award on behalf of the ITV reality show after it was voted Entertainment Programme of the year.

'Downton Abbey' won best Drama, while 'EastEnders' star David Witts won Newcomer of the year.

Related: 'Downton Abbey' sets PBS record with 7.9 million viewers

Other big winners included 'Merlin' star Colin Morgan, who won Drama Performance Male, and Miranda Hart from 'Call The Midwife', who won Drama Performance Female.

This year's Special Recognition Award went to 'Absolutely Fabulous' star Joanna Lumley OBE.

The emotional 66-year-old comedian - who broke into tears twice after receiving her award - was also recognised for her work as an activist supporting the Gurkhas.

She said: "What touched me tonight was seeing a picture of my daddy because he's dead now and I keep my family in here."

Olympic heroes, Lord Sebastian Coe, Sir Chris Hoy and David Weir CBE picked up the prestigious Landmark Award on behalf of all those who involved in London 2012.

'The X Factor' host Dermot donned his dancing shoes once again to perform a complicated routine to 'It's Got To Be You' with 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge Darcey Bussell.

Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh also took to the stage to perform her debut solo single 'One Day I'll Fly Away' for the first time and Ella Henderson also performed Cher's hit 'Believe'.

Full List of National Television Awards 2013 Winners: