Emmerdale actor Danny Miller has spoken out following confusion among viewers of the National Television Awards on Thursday (October 13) night after he seemingly made a "dig" at Stephen Mulhern.
The star walked onstage alongside his I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2021 campmates to collect the show’s Bruce Forsyth Entertainment award.
Having been crowned 'King of the Castle' in the series last year, Miller accepted the award in place of hosts Ant and Dec, who missed out on the ceremony after contracting coronavirus.
However, some fans were left puzzled when Miller suggested another famous face should have collected the award instead.
Related: Emmerdale's Mark Charnock gets emotional as he wins NTA award
"Just on behalf of Ant and Dec who unfortunately have Covid so they can't be here tonight, and Stephen Mulhern is in the crowd, so not sure why he hasn't accepted the award on behalf of them," the soap star remarked during the acceptance speech.
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After watching the events unfold, viewers quickly took to Twitter with many questioning Miller’s words.
"Danny Miller having a dig at Stephen Mulhern. How nasty #NTAs," one viewer commented.
"Why should Stephen Mulhern accept the I’m a celeb award? #nationaltelevisionawards #NTAS," another added, with a third writing: "Not Danny Miller throwing shade at our Stephen #NTAs."
Related: Emmerdale wins Best Serial Drama at NTAs 2022
However, Miller later took to social media to clarify that his comments were meant in jest.
"Don’t believe everything you read. A good friend and a personal joke," the actor wrote in his Instagram Stories, alongside a selfie of himself and Mulhern.
Taking to Twitter, he added: "Again.. not sure why I have to say this. Some people clearly don’t get my sense of humour and that’s fine. But I’m friends with @StephenMulhern and it was a joke."
Mulhern later chimed into the discussion himself, confirming he didn’t have a problem with Miller’s speech.
"Definitely not an issue! We even joked about it last night! Danny is a brilliant actor, a friend, and doesn’t need this nonsense," he tweeted.
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