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Our Girls: The Southport Families has won the award for best authored documentary at this year’s National Television Awards.
The win was a powerful one, with Metro’s own Sabrina Barr, who was at the NTAs, describing it as a ‘really emotional moment which left the attendees in tears’.
The documentary followed the parents of three young girls – Alice da Silva Aguiar,9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 – who lost their lives in the 2024 Southport attack.
The award was presented by Holly Willoughby, who said before reading the nominees: ‘I don’t know how you choose between these.’
The girls’ families and the documentary producers who were there to accept the award received a standing ovation from those in attendance.
As they took the award from Holly, the parents acknowledged that the vote wasn’t for them but rather for their children, and they asked everyone to keep their girls in their hearts.
“I can’t believe I’m stood here,’ said Jenni Stancombe, the mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe. ‘This is a documentary that should never have been made.’
The doc team also thanked those at BBC Breakfast for telling their story.
When the award was annouced those watching the NTAs at home flooded social media with support.
‘A big well done to the team of Our Girls: The Southport Families on winning the Authored Documentary award,’ wrote @2001joe_mendy on X. ‘And all the love in the world to the families who were horribly affected by the events of Southport 2 years ago.’
National Television Awards 2026 Winners
NTA Winners
Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award – Michael McIntyre Big Show
New drama – I Fought the Law
Factual Entertainment – Gogglebox
Serial Drama Performance – Jeff Hordley
Reality docuseries – Clarkson’s Farm
Daytime – This Morning
TV presenter – Sir David Attenborough
Reality competition – Celebrity Traitors
Reality Quiz – 1% Club
Comedy – Mrs Brown’s Boys
Authored documentary – Our Girls: The Southport Family
Drama Performance – Vicky McClure for Trigger Point
Talent show – Strictly Come Dancing
Returning drama – Call the Midwife
Serial drama – Emmerdale
Special recognition – Alan Carr
@georginafarnall was similarly moved, writing: ‘Our Girls’ acceptance speech was so heartbreaking; these poor families.’
@fadeeeintoyou added: ‘The standing ovation for the families I am in tears, ‘ while @bosdovja92 said: ‘Seeing the pain in those parents’ eyes. 💔 so surreal to think over 2 years have passed. Those poor babies.’
@SamStanier3 however put it best when she wrote: ‘Your little girls will never be forgotten.’
The Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years for the murders of Alice, Bebe King, and Elsie.
Sentencing him, Judge Justice Goose said: ‘Many who have heard the evidence might describe what he did as evil; who could dispute it?’