This week, Molly-Mae Hague took home the NTA for Best Authored Documentary, and the internet was not impressed.
Her mini-series, Molly-Mae: Behind It All, released in January this year and was watched by a whopping 500k people on its first day on Amazon Prime. Whilst there was a little mixed reception, with fans excited and critics not as much, it was a well-examined, exclusive look into her life.
She excitedly collected the award last night, with ex-Love Islander pal Maura Higgins looking on supportively. She also thanked boyfriend Tommy Fury, who stayed home looking after their daughter Bambi during the event. Molly had big praise for the team behind the series and her fellow nominees saying: “Oh my goodness. Honestly, just to be nominated for this award was such an honour.
“This team has been the reason why this experience has been so incredible for me, and I think with nights like tonight it’s not just about the talent, it’s about the people that make shows like these.”
Despite the wholesome acceptance speech, in which she also dedicated her win to fellow nominee the late rugby player Rob Burrow, the internet was not impressed that she was the one to take home the prize.
The NTAs are fan-voted online and with Molly-Mae having over nine million followers on Instagram alone, it is a bit of a no brainer that she gained the support she did. But what were the other documentaries in the category, and why do some feel they deserved the award more?
There’s Only One Rob Burrow
via ITV
Rob Burrow was a legendary rugby league player for the Leeds Rhinos whose world completely changed in 2019. Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a condition that attacks your nerves to control muscle movement that rapidly progresses with no current cure. Despite struggling with the disease, him and his family worked tirelessly to spread awareness of MND and raised millions of pounds for research into the illness.
Rob sadly died in 2024 and the BBC Breakfast documentary, There’s Only One Rob Burrow, was released shortly after his death. It featured a final message from Rob himself that said: “My final message to you is whatever your personal battle be brave and face it.
“Every single day is precious. Don’t waste a moment. In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream. Rob Burrow, over and out.”
This film was a clear cherished favourite to win amongst the category, with Molly-Mae dedicating her NTAs win to Rob and his family. She said: “To Lindsay, Rob Burrow’s wife, and his children, his story was more inspirational than mine could ever be.
“It think it was just incredible and it touched me more ways than I can explain. So, this one’s for you Rob, and to the other inspirational people in this category.”
However, some users believed Rob should have won the category instead: “You can disagree but Molly-Mae winning the Nat award over Rob Burrow or Amy Dowden shows everything that is wrong with the world.
“Obviously not Molly’s fault at all and it was lovely she acknowledged Rob and his family but the fact the public voted for that is upsetting and the fact they put her in that category is unfair to the others in my opinion, society is awful.”
@holie.c
Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me
via ITV
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden underwent a rather public health battle in 2023, after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at 32 years old. Her BBC documentary details her brave journey and struggles through her diagnosis and treatment, but focuses on having hope through unbelievable times.
There are hard to watch moments like Amy telling family about her diagnosis, and visits to a fertility doctor as she was told chemotherapy can affect your eggs. Its teary yet uplifting and does have a happy ending, with Amy returning to the Strictly ballroom later this month for her first season back post-treatment.
In a TikTok describing the ordeal, one user, Ellie, said: “Personally I could not go home with that award knowing who I’d taken it away from”, referencing Amy and Rob Burrow.
@elliiedeannews It just shouldn’t have been called a documentary
Amy Dowden has responded after Molly Mae beat her at the NTA #nta #mollymae #strictlycomedancing #uktv #popculture
Amy made a statement where she congratulated Molly-Mae on her NTAs win, explaining she created her own documentary to raise awareness and that an NTA nomination was “just the icing on the cake.”
Ellie explained this, including that Molly didn’t nominate herself for this category.
Flintoff
via ITV
This Disney+ film looks into the life of ex-cricket player and television presenter Andrew, better known as Freddie, Flintoff, and what happened after a horrifying car crash that he has since said “Part of me wishes I’d been killed”.
In 2022, whilst filming an episode of Top Gear, Freddie flipped a three-wheeler car that was reported at going at 130mph. He sustained broken ribs, broken teeth, lost parts of his lip and said in the documentary that “[he] thought my face had come off” and “parts of [him] wish [he’d] died” when the accident happened.
The 98 minute doc discusses the media speculation surrounding the crash, his career and personal struggles, With interviews from ex-England cricketer and friend Michael Vaughan, comedian James Corden and Freddie’s wife Rachel Flintoff, its an emotional yet empowering one to watch.
It is true that Molly-Mae’s series is not nearly as harrowing as some others nominated, but some people took it a little too far. One user came for Molly by summing up the nominated category, although forgot Boyzone’s series. They said: “Freddie Flintoff – Nearly died, Rob Burrow – died, Strictly Amy – Living with cancer, Molly-Mae – Split up with boyfriend.
“Which one wins the NTA…absolute bollocks.” Oh dear.
Boyzone: No Matter What
via ITV
Irish boyband Boyzone were a huge part of 90s culture and, unfortunately like many pop sensations, went through hell with both the media and the public. Whilst there are many fun moments in this Sky produced series, where the band look back on their stardom, there are heart-breaking ones too.
There are discussions about the bands relationship with their manager, agent and former X Factor judge Louis Walsh, and of course the relationships within the band itself.
Boyzone member Steven “Steo” Gately was the focus of a huge scandal in 1999, when he was forced to come out as gay after the being pressurised by the press. Steven sadly died in 2009, with his story being told by his sister in the series, and the recount’s of that news hitting the band by the remaining members are tear jerking to say the least.
Some of the internet had fun with their displeasure at the results instead of going straight to hating on Molly-Mae for her NTAs win. One person on X said: “Molly-Mae beating Boyzone to the Documentary award tonight has got me feeling like Kanye when Taylor beat Beyoncé at the VMAs.” Well, lets be glad they weren’t at the event, it would have been a bit of an awks moment.
Featured image via ITV
Molly-Mae was contacted for comment.
The NTAs declined to comment.
