Youngest winner at the National Television Awards

Coronation Street actor Jude Riordan (UK, b. 11 May 2011) was 10 years 121 days old when he won Best Newcomer at the 26th National Television Awards (NTAs) in London, UK, on 9 September 2021. Jude, who has played Sam Blakeman in the ITV soap since 2020, beat a record set by another Coronation Street actor, Sam Aston (UK, b. 7 June 1993), who was 11 years 141 days old when he won Best Newcomer at the 10th NTAs on 26 October 2004, for playing Chesney Brown (2003–present).

Riordan landed Best Newcomer ahead of actors from Casualty (Olivia D’Lima), EastEnders (Rose Ayling-Ellis, who went on to win Series 19 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021), Emmerdale (Emile John) and Hollyoaks (Rhiannon Clements). Coronation Street also won Best Serial Drama at the 26th NTAs, while Best Serial Drama Performance went to the show’s Nina Lucas, played by Mollie Gallagher.

The 1st NTAs were held at London’s Wembley Conference Centre on 29 August 1995.