ITV viewers joke that David Dimbleby is the 'ultimate troll' for repeatedly 'bigging up' the BBC after receiving Lifetime Achievement gong during National TV Awards on rival channel

  • The former Question Time host was mocked by viewers after his speech at NTA's
  • He repeatedly praised the BBC calling it 'one of the great national institutions'
  • Fans joked that the broadcaster was the 'ultimate troll' for 'bigging up' channel 
  • Dimbleby was presented with Lifetime Achievement award at the awards on ITV

By ED RILEY FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

David Dimbleby was branded the 'ultimate troll' by amused viewers last night after he repeatedly praised BBC while receiving an award on ITV.

The broadcaster said the corporation was 'one of the great national institutions' as he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement gong at the National Television Awards.

During his heartfelt speech, that was broadcast on ITV last night, he said that the BBC 'still holds a heart in the place of the British people' adding it is 'absolutely vital for our life.'

But viewers were quick to mock the 80-year-old TV legend, taking to Twitter to poke fun at the former Question Time host's tribute.

David Dimbleby fiving his speech on stage as he praised the BBC for their decades of work

David Dimbleby fiving his speech on stage as he praised the BBC for their decades of work

Quirky: The veteran broadcaster also paid tribute to Stacey Dooley, saying she was 'one of the best young reporters of television'
Quirky: The veteran broadcaster also paid tribute to Stacey Dooley, saying she was 'one of the best young reporters of television'

The veteran broadcaster was branded the 'ultimate troll' after he repeatedly praised the rival channel as he accepted the award

One joked: 'Can't decide if David Dimbleby has genuinely forgot that the NTA awards are on ITV whilst he's been bigging up the BBC for 10 minutes or he's the ultimate troll.

'Either way, an absolute legend.'

Another said: 'David Dimbleby saying how much he loves the BBC and how it's the best network live on ITV... How much is the BBC paying him?'

One user added: Did he really feel the need to make his whole speech about the BBC? Yes that's where he works etc but he's at an award ceremony broadcast on the ITV!'

After Dimbleby's speech amused viewers took to Twitter to mock the former Question Time host's speech

After Dimbleby's speech amused viewers took to Twitter to mock the former Question Time host's speech

Dimbleby took to the stage at the O2 arena after a show reel of his career was played.

He said: 'All the things you saw there were on the BBC. I've been a fan all my life. 

'I began with the BBC, I think it's one of the great national institutions.

'I know many of the people we are seeing tonight are from other channels but I think the existence of the BBC is absolutely vital for our life. However it's threatened by Netflix or other competition.

David Dimbleby, pictured on the red carpet last night, called the BBC 'one of the great national institutions'

David Dimbleby, pictured on the red carpet last night, called the BBC 'one of the great national institutions'

'The BBC still holds a heart in the place of the British people.' 

Dimbleby stood down from Question Time at the end of last year after 25 years at the helm.

BBC newsreader and Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce become the first female presenter of the current affairs panel show when she took over this month.

Dimbleby first presented Question Time on January 14 1994, and was the longest serving presenter of the show.

During his career he has presented Panorama, chaired the leadership debates in 2010, and has anchored general election coverage since 1979.     

How David Dimbleby has presided over every election night since 1979

Dimbleby, pictured hosting Panorama in 1974, has been with the BBC for 57 years

Dimbleby, pictured hosting Panorama in 1974, has been with the BBC for 57 years

David Dimbleby, who at 75 had a scorpion tattooed on his back, began at the BBC 57 years ago as a news reporter in Bristol after leaving Oxford with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics.

He led the BBC's coverage of the Common Market referendum in 1975, a role he repeated in 2016 when the UK voted for Brexit.

Although best known now for election nights and Question Time, he led coverage of the funerals of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Queen Mother.

Dimbleby has presided over every BBC election night broadcast since 1979, as well as Budget Days and local, European and American elections.

The 2015 election was set to be his last, with BBC News presenter Huw Edwards due to take over.

Dimbleby laughs with the late prime minister Margaret Thatcher in London in 1990

Dimbleby laughs with the late prime minister Margaret Thatcher in London in 1990

But when Theresa May announced the snap election last year, a behind-the-scenes tussle resulted in a BBC announcement that Dimbleby would present it.

The veteran, who is paid about £450,000 to present Question Time, has also presented the BBC's coverage of the annual Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph and other state occasions.

Dimbleby, who took over on Question Time from Peter Sissons in January 1994, will sit in the chair for the final time on December 13.

Dimbleby meets former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe for an interview in May 2000

Dimbleby meets former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe for an interview in May 2000

He is the longest serving presenter of the show, and beat rival Jeremy Paxman after each had to endure a gruelling audition for the role.

The debate programme was previously hosted by Peter Sissons and its first host Sir Robin Day, who died in 2000.

Dimbleby's name has also been mentioned as a possible director-general of the BBC.

Dimbleby and Fiona Bruce, with Peter Snow in the background, at TV Centre in 2005

Dimbleby and Fiona Bruce, with Peter Snow in the background, at TV Centre in 2005

In 2014 he told how hard it would be to hand over the reins of the election coverage, saying: 'I don't have any instinct to make way gracefully. I shall be dragged kicking and screaming from my chair.'

As for Question Time, Dimbleby said earlier this year that it had been 'exhilarating following the twists and turns of British politics', and a privilege to bring 'voters face to face with those in power'.

BBC bosses described him as a 'titan in British broadcasting' who had been a 'brilliant champion of the public'.

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