A mere 90 minutes after co-hosting This Morning, Joel Dommett’s at swanky London hotel Claridge’s to chat to heat. Waving around a rather lovely mug that his wife Hannah’s asked him to Google the price of (insane, apparently), the presenter, comedian and host of the National TV Awards is just as chatty and charming in the flesh as he is on the telly.
Whether it’s being a guest presenter on the ITV flagship morning show or overseeing proceedings (and ludicrous guesses) on The Masked Singer and The Masked Dancer, the 39 year old is a firm favourite with viewers. Oh, and there’s also the hugely successful podcast Never Have I Ever that he does with Hannah. The couple married in 2019 and, last year, welcomed son Wilde into the world.
Now, as he gets ready for his fourth stint fronting two and a half hours of live TV – no pressure – at the NTAs, Joel’s more than happy to talk about some pretty major stuff. Such as the importance of fake tanning for Celeb Gladiators, appearing in Casualty at the age of 17 and who he’d love to see in a mask…
Do you ever get nervous at the NTAs, seeing all those famous people looking at you?
It’s just a mad show where you’re performing to not just 10,000 people in the O2, but also to Ant & Dec. It does feel like it is very daunting but I just go out there and do it, and I don’t think about the fact that Bradley Walsh is looking up my nose.
What makes the job special for you?
Because it’s a celebration of TV and the voters are the viewers. It feels wonderful to be a part of it. And when I’m stood there in the ad breaks, where I just take a moment to look out and go, ‘Bloody hell, this is so mad that I’m even in this room, let alone stood onstage, let alone the one holding the microphone.’ It’s a real pinch-me moment.
What can you tell us about the after-party?
It’s really fun. My problem is that I’ve got to play catch-up because everyone else has been drinking for two and a half hours. And, when I finish, it’s quite hard because I just want to lie down. Everyone’s off drinking and saying, come to the after-party. And I’m like, I could do with a disco nap. But we’ve got a babysitter this year, so I might get my dancing shoes out a little bit.
And this year you could do actual dad dancing…
Yeah, my dad dancing. Absolutely, I love it.
One of the nominees for Serial Drama this year is Casualty, which heat understands, you appeared in once upon a time…
I’m not saying it was nominated because of me, but I mean, we all love Casualty. I did an episode when I was 17 because I was in a drama group in Bristol and you could audition for Casualty. It was my first-ever audition and then I didn’t get another one ever again. So, there we go…
Oh! Did you want to do more acting?
I did sort of go into the acting side of things for a bit when I first moved to London, but I was just really bad at auditioning. My confidence was so bad, I thought I would completely fall apart in auditions. Weirdly, then I started stand-up instead, which people would think is more daunting, but I just found it a little bit easier.
Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks are hosting the red carpet at the NTAs. How do you think they’ll do?
I love them. I feel like they’re the new Chuckle Brothers. They’ve got so much energy, and you think they’re playing characters almost. You might see them on telly or on Instagram and go, ‘Oh, is that what they’re really like?’ Trust me, that is absolutely what they are really like. They’re the perfect people to be doing the red carpet.
Do you think they’re eyeing up your job?
They can happily eye it up. Nothing would make me prouder than to pass the torch to two such wonderful people.
Did you watch Sam when he was on I’m A Celebrity?
Yeah, and from the perspective of someone who’s been in the jungle, he played it so well. He went on a journey where people were watching it going, is this for real? Is this annoying? Oh no, it ’s really genuine. And then once you realise it’s genuine, you can't help but love him.
Now, we have to ask you about your green Lycra outfit you sported on This Morning a while ago. Was that your idea?
It was my choice, to be fair. They said, ‘We’ve got [‘80s telly fitness guru, younger readers] the Green Goddess on tomorrow. So I was like, ‘Oh, get me in some Lycra, that’d be funny’. And This Morning is such an amazing show to navigate, because you go from being in a green Lycra outfit doing lunges, and then, the next moment, you’re doing something really serious.
Did Hannah have an opinion on the Lycra number?
[Laughs.] She made sure I brought it home and then she made me into a green screen and made me disappear. That’s what she loved. Yes, she definitely had an opinion. I can’t remember what she said now, but she was like, ‘Really, Joel? Really?’
How are you enjoying being a dad to baby Wilde?
[Beaming from ear to ear] I love it, it’s amazing. We’re really having a fun time. Every day is wonderful and a challenge all at once. I feel like I learn something every day, he learns something every day. It consumes your heart in a way that I never thought was possible. I feel very proud… and tired.
How’s your sleeping?
I can fall asleep absolutely anywhere. There’s a couch here, I could fall asleep right now. I love napping. As soon as Wilde goes to sleep, I immediately go to bed. Napping is the key to parenthood.
How’s being a parent changed your life?
We’re definitely a full routine household now. Before, every day was so different, now I know what time nap times are, when bath time is. I love the schedule, man.
Tell us about taking part in Celeb Gladiators…
Oh my God, it was amazing. You know when someone calls you and goes, ‘Do you want to do this?’ And you’re like, ‘Should I do this?’ Then you’re like, ‘Oh, it’s going to be fun though, isn’t it?’ So just do it. And being there with Rob Beckett – we’ve been good friends for a long time and we both just had so much fun.
Was fake tan mandatory?
It wasn’t, but they emailed me the day before saying, ‘If you do want to fake tan, do it tonight.’ I hadn’t even thought about it. So I went into my bathroom and shaved my chest and torso. And then I said, ‘Hannah, have you got a fake tan?’ Then she rubbed me all over. It was great. I think I looked all right. It’s cheaper than a holiday.
Well, quite. Did you get to wield one of those giant cotton buds?
I don’t know if I can say which ones we did. But potentially, wink-wink, raising the eyebrow.
Did you get a Gladiator name?
We played with the idea of having them. I’ve got asthma, so I’d be Inhaler.
So, you ran the London Marathon in Danny Jones’ Piranha outfit, that must have been…
[Shaking his head] An awful idea.
Challenging, then?
The costume just sort of fell apart slowly, as did I. But I was really happy that I did it, I loved it. The fact that people cheer you on for however long you’re doing it – there’s no other marathon in the world where there’s people along the whole course.
On The Masked Singer, have you ever not known who it is when they’ve taken off their mask?
Yeah, absolutely. But what’s great about the show is that it appeals to all ages and so you have Dionne Warwick, but then you'll also have Ne-Yo. And it’s always fun just trying to guess who it is. I’m involved, too. I’m like everyone sat at home. Its exciting to be guessing with everyone else.
The guesses are part of the fun, though. The panel always come up with ridiculous names like, say, Madonna or Barack Obama…
Both of those names have actually come up. I think that’s all part of the ridiculousness of it all. And the fact that Jonathan Ross says Theresa May every single year. It’s a bit of fun, that’s what we trying to create, a bit of escapism. Although people do take the guesses very, very seriously. Some send me notes, like full notepad versions of who they think is in the masks.
There are some people who think you do know, though…
I have no idea who’s behind the mask. I think if I did know, it would make it less fun. Although on The Masked Dancer I thought I knew who it was once, so I was being very familiar with them, just hands across the shoulder vibe, whispering in their ear, ‘You’re so good at this, you’re the best…’ But, when they were revealed, it was absolutely not who I thought it was. It was someone who I’d never met in my life.
Is there anyone you’d love to see when the mask comes off?
Ant & Dec in the same costume. It’d be absolutely fantastic to see them huddled together. I’d love to see my wife in a costume at some point. And that’s just at home.
Would you ever do it if you weren’t the host of the show?
I don’t know. I’ve not really got much of a voice, which you may or may not find out when you watch The National Television Awards…
Catch The National Television Awards on Wednesday 11 September on ITV1 at 8pm. Visit nationaltvawards to cast your vote