TELLY favourites Wallace and Gromit will trouser the Special Recognition gong at this year’s National Television Awards.
The animated pals will appear from their home in a broadcast to London’s 02 Arena on Wednesday.
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Most of the NTA awards are decided by the public vote, but the Special Recognition Award is awarded by bosses.
It has previously gone to host Bruce Forsyth, comedian Paul O’Grady and the show Line of Duty.
Wallace and Gromit, created by filmmaker Nick Park and studio Aardman Animations, came to international prominence with The Wrong Trousers in 1993.
Their most recent adventure, Vengeance Most Fowl, was seen by 22million viewers on the BBC last Christmas.
Explaining the NTA’s decision, presenter Joel Dommett said: “Wallace and Gromit aren’t just characters — they’re part of our cultural DNA.
“Generations have grown up laughing at Wallace’s madcap ideas and cheering for Gromit’s quiet brilliance.
“They’re clever, quintessentially British, and endlessly loveable.
“I can’t think of a more perfect recipient for our 30th Special Recognition Award.”
In other categories, Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper, who play father and son Eddie and Jamie Miller in dark Netflix show Adolescence, are going head-to-head for the Drama Performance award.
Last year, the award was won by Toby Jones for his part in ITV’s Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
And Ant & Dec are nominated together in the TV Presenter category — hoping that they will win it for the 24th time in a row.
But they are up against Claudia Winkleman, who now hosts two of TV’s biggest shows — Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors.
The 30th NTAs ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX on Wednesday at 8pm.
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