Strictly Come Dancing professional Carlos Gu has criticised the National Television Awards for rewarding Molly-Mae Hague’s breakup documentary over films about “real human suffering”.
The dancer, 30, voiced his frustration in a now-deleted Instagram Story after Molly-Mae, 26, took home the Best Documentary prize for Molly-Mae: Behind It All, a six-part Prime Video series following her split from professional boxer Tommy Fury.
The Love Island star beat contenders including Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which chronicled fellow Strictly pro Amy Dowden’s battle with breast cancer and There’s Only One Rob Burrow, which told the story of the rugby league legend’s fight with motor neurone disease.
According to the Mirror, Carlos posted a screenshot of a Notes app message in which he wrote: “A breakup story wins Best Documentary at the NTAs over films about real human suffering, like those battling illness?
“It's honestly baffling. We're talking about people fighting for their lives, enduring unimaginable pain, and somehow, a story about a messy relationship got the top honour? It feels absurd - almost like a parody of what awards are meant to recognise.
“There's something deeply wrong when heartbreak is given more weight than human resilience in the face of terminal disease. It's not just disappointing - it's a disturbing reflection of where our empathy as a society is held.”
The Standard has contacted Carlos Gu’s rep for comment.
After missing out on the honour, Amy took to social media to congratulate Molly-Mae and thank those who had supported her documentary: “Huge congratulations to Molly Mae on your NTA win! It's been an honour to be nominated alongside such powerful and inspiring documentaries.
“I'm incredibly proud to have been nominated for my documentary Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me. When I made the deeply personal decision to share my breast cancer journey, it was to raise awareness, promote early detection, and give hope and strength to others going through it. An NTA nomination was just the icing on the cake.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who voted and supported the documentary. Your messages, love, and encouragement mean the world to me. I promise to keep using my voice to raise awareness, support others, and shine a light on the reality of breast cancer.”
Many had predicted that Rob Burrow’s family would take home the award, but the trophy ultimately went to Molly-Mae. In her acceptance speech, she made a heartfelt acknowledgement of Rob and his loved ones.
Rob, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, sadly died last year at the age of 41.
Molly-Mae used her acceptance speech to pay tribute to fellow nominee Rob Burrow and his family.
She shared: “I think as you guys saw, we were up against some seriously inspirational people in this category.”
“To Lindsay, Rob Burrow's wife and his children, his story was far more inspirational than mine could ever be,” Molly-Mae said.
“It was just incredible and touched me in more ways than I can explain. This one's for you Rob, and to the other inspirational people in this category.”
