Holly Willoughby showed NTA ‘disappointment’ through masked smiles and eye contact

Holly Willoughby was left feeling ‘embarrassed’ after This Morning lost out at the National Television Awards, a body language expert said.

The 42 year presenter tried to hide her feelings of disappointment and her inner turmoil through ‘masked smiles’, Darren Stanton added. Holly also gave an ‘insincere half-hearted clap’ when it was announced that her show This Morning had lost out in the Best Daytime Show category to the BBC's The Repair Shop, the body language expert claimed.

It has been a tumultuous year for This Morning after it was rocked by Phillip Schofield’s affair scandal. The 61 year old former presenter left the popular ITV show in May and later admitted to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a much younger colleague.

The difficult year was reflected in Tuesday’s NTAs as This Morning failed to scoop an award for the first time in 13 years. The scandal-plagued ITV show was also booed by the audience at the awards bash and viewers thought Holly was left ’close to tears’ after failing to win a gong.

Darren Stanton, analysing Holly’s reaction to losing the award on behalf of Spin Genie, said: “She was trying to put on a brave face. I picked up that she was feeling a lot of turmoil in her head and internally.

“I can see that she was feeling gutted by masking a smile and her eye contact – there was no engagement through her facial expressions. She wanted to mask her disappointment in front of everyone, understandably.

“I can tell she also felt an embarrassment from the way she avoided eye contact on camera.”

Darren also went into detail about the way Holly reacted when The Repair Shop was announced the winner. He said: “It was an insincere half hearted clap – you can see that she wasn’t actually touching her hands together. Her energy wasn’t in it.

“I don’t believe she has any animosity towards the winner, but she was clearly disappointed. She’s now the figurehead of This Morning and looking at her reaction, it was having an effect on her emotionally for sure.”

Darren added that Holly’s fellow This Morning presenter Alison Hammond responded in a different way – “clapping with lots of energy” and displaying “genuine and engaged smiles throughout”.

“It was clear she was happy for the winners,” Darren concluded.

Appearing on the show this morning after the awards, Holly sent her congratulations to the winners.

She said: “A huge congratulations to The Repair Shop, well done you. Jay Blades, just like a special squeeze and lots of love to him.

“He ran over to us, gave us all a big cuddle which I just thought was just class and gorgeous. I actually didn’t want to let go. Good hugs Jay Blades.”

The TV presenter thanked the public for voting for the show which secured them a place on the shortlist alongside The Chase, Loose Women and The Repair Shop.

“Just to make it there was just so wonderful so thank you always for your love and support”, she added.

Phillip Schofield was axed by ITV bosses earlier this year after lying about the affair with a colleague during an internal investigation – and This Morning was also hit by claims of bullying by former resident doctor Ranj Singh. Holly, speaking to OK! before the NTAs at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday night, addressed her ‘difficult year’ and the accusations of a toxic culture at the show.

She said: "I know there's been lots of reports about things and for me personally, you know, I don't want to speak on behalf of other people, but it's a world I honestly don't recognise."

Holly continued: "I think that we all look after each other is the honest truth."

“It has been a difficult year for everybody but what’s lovely is you find that people rally around you and the goodwill is there,” she added. “People want things to move on. It feels different.”

Meanwhile Phillip, who was dropped by his talent agency YMU following the affair scandal, unfollowed former pal Holly on Instagram hours before the NTA ceremony.

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