David Dimbleby to receive Special Recognition NTA

David Dimbleby is to receive the 2019 Special Recognition gong at the National Television Awards.

The 80-year-old journalist - who is best known for fronting \'Question Time\' and hosting the BBC\'s coverage of every General Election since 1979 - will be presented with the prestigious prize at the ceremony on Tuesday night (22.01.19).

A source told The Sun\'s Bizarre TV column: "David is a giant of British broadcasting.

"He has been the people\'s champion, putting questions from viewers to politicians and using remarkable skill and often forceful encouragement to get proper answers back.

"He has been, and still is, a key part of Britain\'s cultural landscape. He has been chief commentator for countless state occasions, including royal weddings and the 1997 funeral of Princess Diana.

"He not only anchored TV coverage of the first referendum on Europe in 1975, but repeated the role for the EU referendum announcing Leave had won."

Previous winners of the Special Recognition trophy include Billy Connolly, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Joanna Lumley.

Cherished presenter David chaired the BBC\'s flagship political programme \'Question Time\' from 1994, but he decided to walk away from the role at the end of 2018, insisting it was "the right moment to leave".

He previously explained: "It has been a privilege to work for a programme which brings voters face to face with those in power. I am grateful to the production teams and to the BBC who have made this possible."

His final appearance in the \'Question Time\' chair was broadcast on December 13, and Fiona Bruce took over the presenting duties on January 10th.

Tonight, Westlife will take to the NTAs stage at London\'s The O2 for their first live TV performance in eight years at the ceremony, in which they will showcase their new single \'Hello My Love\'.

The National Television Awards will air on ITV from 7.30pm, hosted by Dermot O\'Leary.