Martin Lewis gave a passionate speech as he scooped the coveted TV Expert gong at the National Television Awards last night.
The Martin Lewis Money Show host, 50, wasted no time taking a swipe at Liz Truss‘ government and the difficult winter ahead for families as he took to the stage at the OVO Arena Wembley in London.
Filled with emotion, the financial whizz spoke about the ‘horrible’ and ‘disastrous’ year the country had endured with the energy crisis and said many have been left with ‘terrible issues and mental health problems’.
Appearing to mock Ms Truss’ widely criticised policies, he added: ‘We need somebody to get a grip on the economy and put things a little bit back.’
It comes as the government looked set for yet another humiliating u-turn on economic policy, with Kwasi Kwarteng abandoning visit to the US to return to Downing Street for crisis talks with Ms Truss today.
The Chancellor left an IMF summit in Washington a day early amid signs that he and the PM are planning a massive U-turn that would scrap wide-ranging ax cuts that enraged Tory MPs and sent the markets into freefall.
Martin Lewis gave a passionate speech as he scooped the coveted TV Expert gong at the National Television Awards on Thursday
Mutinous Conservative MPs have given Liz Truss 17 days to save her job, with claims that Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, both failed leadership challengers in the summer, are being lined up to replace her.
It has been suggested they could be installed in a ‘coronation’ if no one else runs to be leader, avoiding the need to consult party members who overwhelmingly backed Ms Truss to replace Boris Johnson.
Tory whips warned she could face a leadership challenge if Mr Kwarteng’s economic statement on October 31 fails to end the turbulence in the financial markets.
The Prime Minister and her closest aides were last night weighing up whether to ditch parts of last month’s emergency mini-Budget, including her flagship pledge to scrap an £18billion hike in corporation tax.
Asked about the prospect of another humiliating U-turn, the Chancellor said yesterday: ‘Let’s see.’
Mr Lewis’ comments last night were one of his most pointed criticisms of government policy to date.
Revealing that he believed 2023 could be just as bleak he declared: ‘Whoever said we’ve had enough of experts, no we haven’t we need them more than ever right now’.
Taking to the stage at last night’s awards, Mr Lewis said: ‘When you’re up against an international treasure like David Attenborough you don’t normally expect to win, I’m quite shocked. Whoever said we’ve had enough of experts, no we haven’t we need them more than ever right now’.
He continued: ‘Thank you so much to Claire and Angelica and everyone at the Martin Lewis Money Show and also to the web team who feed me the information and do the analysis for Money Saving Expert.
‘It’s been a pretty horrible year financially and the energy crisis has been disastrous and left many people in terrible issues and mental health problems.
‘I’m afraid the next year, with the mortgage problem and the knock-on to rent, is going to be pretty bad.
‘And you know what? We need somebody to get a grip on the economy and put things a little bit back.
‘But that’s for my show next Tuesday, tonight this nerd is gonna party! Thank you and good night.’
Later taking to social media the star shared a grinning snap as he grasped the shiny award alongside his wife Lara Lewington, 43.
It comes as the government looked set for yet another humiliating u-turn on economic policy, with Kwasi Kwarteng abandoning visit to the US to return to Downing Street for crisis talks with Ms Truss today
The Martin Lewis Money Show host, wasted no time taking a swipe at Liz Truss’ government and the difficult winter ahead for families as he took to the stage at at the OVO Arena Wembley in London
He wrote: ‘#NTAs Still gobsmacked, thanks to all who voted. It’s a huge privilege to have your support. I don’t really drink, maybe one a year, but maybe it’ll be tonight’.
This year’s NTAs were broadcast live from a brand new venue of Wembley’s OVO Arena with Joel Dommett hosting.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were booed by some members of the audience at the National Television Awards when This Morning was announced as a contender for the Best Daytime Award.
The presenters found themselves at the centre of the ‘queuegate’ controversy’ in September when they were accused of skipping the queue to see the Queen lying in state, which they both denied.
Despite the criticism the broadcasters received, the show still took home the Daytime gong, with Phillip saying the award means ‘so much to us every year, especially this year’.
Other notable winners at the ceremony – held at the OVO Arena in Wembley, London – included Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for Best Presenter, Anton Du Beke for TV Judge, Peaky Blinders for Returning Drama and Emmerdale for Serial Drama.
Trophy: Later taking to social media, the star shared a grinning snap as he grasped the shiny award alongside his wife Lara Lewington, 43
Taking to the stage after the win, Phillip said: ‘Please don’t think we ever get complacement and please don’ tthink we ever take it for granted. This means so much to us every year, especially this year. We have the best boss.’
Holly added: ‘This Morning has a very special relationship with you, you make our show for us, you really do. All these guys on the stage here, Alison [Hammond] and Dermot [O’Leary], Rochelle [Humes] and Vernon [Kay], Josie [Gibson], everyone. Thank you for all your support.’
Elsewhere, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnnelly took home their 21st consecutive Best Presenter award and the Bruce Forsyth award.
Unfortunately, the TV duo were not there to accept their awards as they have both fallen ill with Covid and had to stay at home.
The Bruce Forsyth Award went to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! with Emmerdale star Danny Miller who won last year’s series accepting the gong along with several other stars from the 21st season.
Danny said: ‘On behalf of Ant and Dec who have Covid so they can’t be here tonight, Stephen Mulhern is in the crowd so I’m not sure why he’s not accepting for them.
