A Surprising Moment at the 2025 NTAs

Jack P Shepherd, known for his role as David Platt on Coronation Street, recently addressed rumors that he appeared annoyed during the 2025 National Television Awards. Fans noticed his demeanor live on air, sparking speculation that he was unhappy about losing the Best Serial Drama Performance award to EastEnders’ Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell.

Shepherd, however, insists that the reaction viewers saw was misinterpreted. Speaking on his podcast On The Sofa with Colson, which he co-hosts with Corrie stars Colson Smith and Ben Price, Shepherd explained exactly what happened.

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“I Knew Before the Announcement”

According to Shepherd, he had a sense of the outcome even before the winner was revealed. “They said my name first and there was no reaction,” he recalled. “But then the next person was Steve McFadden and everyone goes mental.”

Shepherd explained that award shows often shift cameras immediately to the winner, leaving other nominees out of focus. “All the cameras turned away from me and went to Phil Mitchell. So it was like, there’s obviously not a camera on me, just to give you a clue that I’ve definitely not won this,” he said.

This context helps clarify why Shepherd’s demeanor may have appeared muted. Viewers interpreted his quiet reaction as annoyance, but Shepherd says it was simply a matter of timing and camera angles.

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The Art of the “Loser’s Face”

Shepherd also revealed his playful approach to award show reactions. “My trick of the trade this week is the ‘loser’s face,’” he joked. He described different ways nominees can react:

• Gracious clap – showing composure while acknowledging the winner.

• Over-enthusiastic cheer – pretending to be delighted for the victor.

• The “pissed off” face – exaggerating frustration for humor.

• The distracted laugh – acting amused at a joke that doesn’t exist.

This year, Shepherd opted for subtlety. “Usually I do the ‘massively pissed off’ look because it makes me laugh. But this year, because I had no camera on me, I didn’t do anything,” he said. “So I was in shot and my reaction was ‘I’m just watching the NTAs.’ I genuinely wasn’t pissed off.”

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Fans’ Misinterpretation

Social media quickly picked up on Shepherd’s perceived mood, demonstrating how easy it is to misread subtle expressions on live TV. Shepherd’s explanation shows that behind-the-scenes mechanics, camera angles, and timing often influence viewers’ perceptions.

He also highlighted the humor in the situation, showing that even a potentially tense moment can be lighthearted. Sharing the mechanics of award-show reactions gives fans a glimpse of the subtle performance strategies actors employ when faced with cameras and a live audience.

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A Lighthearted Lesson in Live TV

Shepherd’s story serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. A quiet moment does not always signal annoyance, disappointment, or bad sportsmanship. Sometimes, it’s just a candid, unremarkable reaction captured at the wrong time.

His candid reflections also show that actors are aware of how their reactions are interpreted and sometimes play with those expectations for humor or effect. In Shepherd’s case, the “loser’s face” is as much a performance as it is a personal quirk.

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Conclusion: Clarifying the Record

Jack P Shepherd’s NTAs reaction was never about anger or frustration. It was a combination of timing, camera placement, and his own playful approach to losing gracefully. By addressing the rumors directly, Shepherd reassured fans that he remains professional, good-humored, and genuinely supportive of his peers.