Stars of hit shows will descend on the red carpet at London’s O2 for the biggest night in British TV

If you disagree and think that the standard of programming has dropped, just take a look at the nominees in the New Drama category at this year’s National Television Awards.

While ITV’s agenda-setting Mr Bates vs The Post Office is among the favourites to take away the top prize, it will face tough competition from Netflix’s boundary-pushing Baby Reindeer, as well as One Day, Fool Me Once and Red Eye.

Tonight, the stars of these and other hit shows will descend on the red carpet at London’s O2 for the biggest night in British TV.

For the fourth year running, Joel Dommett is in charge of proceedings.

“I’m returning to host the biggest awards show in television,” the 39-year-old comedian and Masked Singer presenter says.

“So much to look forward to, so many awards, so many faces.

“It’s gonna be huge. The TV Expert category is back – one of my faves – and I am back – one of my mum’s faves.

“Keep your eyes peeled for the vote opening – and make it count.”

The Returning Drama category is also a strong one this year, with stalwart series Bridgerton, Call the Midwife, The Crown, Trigger Point and Vera making up the shortlist.

Meanwhile, in a female-dominated category which includes formidable foursome Brenda Blethyn, Jessica Gunning, Michelle Keegan and Vicky McClure, Toby Jones is the only male actor nominated for Drama Performance.

Davis Beckham is up against Kate Garraway for Best Authored Documentary, and on the soap front, EastEnders stars Angela Wynter and Diane Parish have been nominated in the same category as Coronation Street favourites David Neilson and Peter Ash, as well as Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper.

Despite being shrouded in controversy recently, Strictly Come Dancing has received three nominations, including in the Talent Show category, where it is up against The Great British Bake Off, Britain’s Got Talent, MasterChef and The Voice UK.

And the Expert category that Joel refers to has nominees including Sir David Attenborough (Mammals), Clarkson’s Farm’s Kaleb Cooper, Strictly’s Anton Du Beke (Come Dancing), Martin Lewis and Dancing on Ice judges Torvill & Dean.

As well as the awards and celebrations, there will be some exclusive performances, including a special medley from Olly Murs, who has a big reason to be in the party mood.

And there’s also a surprise for one guest in particular who’ll be receiving the prestigious and much-coveted Special Recognition Award.

The NTAs is the only TV awards ceremony in which the winners are chosen exclusively by viewers.

But will they bestow the TV Presenter award on Ant & Dec for the 23rd year in a row, or will one of the other contenders (Claudia Winkelman, Alison Hammond, Stacey Solomon and Bradley Walsh) finally take home the win?

We can all probably guess the answer to that. Some things never change.