EXCL: Holly Willoughby reveals her fears for future as she runs NTA red carpet gauntlet:

Holly Willoughby probably would rather have been elsewhere last night than sashaying down a red carpet with millions watching – before being booed by the audience for the second NTA ceremony in a row. 

She spent considerable time warding off questions about her own future, Phillip Schofield and allegations of a toxic atmosphere at ITV’s This Morning.

After a lacklustre return to screens alongside Alison Hammond after eight weeks off for her annual summer break, and losing 200,000 viewers, she knew there was no way she could get away with being a no-show at last night’s National Television Awards.

But Holly didn’t seem too worried by the ratings drop-off, telling MailOnline she ‘just wants the future to continue as it is.’

As she admitted, however, whether that future comes to pass is not down to her, or any of her co-hosts – instead it is down to the viewers, many of whom have become disillusioned by the show and its attempts to distract from claims of a toxic culture.

Despite admitting fan support has been ‘up and down’, she still seems to have a loyal base of supporters who give her a sense of optimism for the future.

‘If I’m honest it’s been really up and down. But what’s lovely is people rallying around you. The support is there. People want us to do well. It all feels good again.’

‘I just want to the future to continue as it is. We are very blessed we have a great team of people we really do.’

She sought to focus on enjoying the NTAs on the red carpet, dodging questions around her former co-host and his ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a younger male colleague.

‘Everybody has been so lovely tonight and everyone is so happy to meet you. I mean you’re in their living room everyday it’s not like meeting someone from Coronation Street.

‘I know there’s been a lot of talk about things and for me personally, I don’t want to speak on behalf of other people, it’s a world I don’t recognise. 

‘For me, I look around and see the team getting ready and giving it all. I just want to come to work and have more of that.’ 

For the second year running after the now-infamous queuegate scandal, Holly was shunned from being shortlisted for best presenter.

It was also the first time since she, as the host of the ITV show she joined in 2009, had attended without Phillip Schofield since they began working together 14 years ago.

Holly supported Alison, who is described within television circles as her ‘bestie’, as she went up against Ant and Dec for the best presenter title – with the Geordie duo winning the award for the 22nd time.

She told MailOnline: ‘Alison doesn’t need any advice tonight. She’s wonderful, exactly what she’s like on the tele. 

‘She came into the office today and said I know you’re wearing a dress but I brought you a belly chain I think it will really suit you.’

‘We’ve known each other for a really long time she’s been on this morning longer than me. It’s a really natural home for her.’

Asked whether she would like Alison to remain her on-screen partner, Holly added: ‘Ideally but I mean I ask myself who it will be but it’s not down to me, people seem to think I have a lot to say on a lot of issues, but it’s really down to the public.’

Holly spent 15 minutes on the red carpet at London’s O2 – a stark contrast to her usual awards regime.

She walked separately from Alison, who arrived 20 minutes later.

Those close to Ms Willoughby said she had to speak out last night in the hope that she can ‘start again tomorrow’.

The presenter has for some time been wrestling with how Schofield’s exit affected This Morning and that it is her job to ‘turn things around’ after she – as the strong woman that she has vowed to be – took the helm of This Morning.

Sources close to Ms Willoughby say that she decided that the best thing she could do to deal with the criticism was to be honest.

It coincides with her agreement to stay with This Morning, which lost out to The Repair Shop last night in the best daytime show category.

One source said: ‘Holly knows she needs to answer questions about This Morning face on and tell the story. It has been difficult. She knows this is a tricky time but she has made a pact with herself to take the rough with the smooth and deal with it.

‘Hence why she is here tonight and actually dealing with what has been hard for her and hard for the show.’

Away from the tribulations of morning television, it was a joyful night for BBC1’s Happy Valley as it won the returning drama award.

And the night only got better for lead Sarah Lancashire who beat co-star James Norton to win the best dramatic performance after the NTAs scrapped separate categories for best actor and best actress.

Ms Lancashire said: ‘It’s a wonderful thing to have, we didn’t know if we would win it. It’s a great accolade – great for Sally Wainwright.’

Graham Norton beat Piers Morgan to best TV Interview while his ex Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid paraded the red carpet in a red dress while debuting her new short hair.

Meanwhile, Line of Duty’s veteran cop-drama actress, Vicky McLure also stunned at the event – held at London’s O2 Arena – in a black Versace frock.

One Show host, Alex Jones, also pulled out the stops in a white feathered mini-dress.

Big Brother host Davina McCall, 55, beamed on the red carpet in an E Stott jumpsuit with her latest boyfriend, the hairdresser Michael Douglas, 48.