Ant and Dec: What was the world like 20 years ago?

Ant and Dec first won the Best Presenter NTA back in 2001 - look how young they are!

Ant and Dec have been named as best TV presenters for the 20th time in a row at the National Television Awards (NTAs).

They first won the NTA award all the way back in 2001.

A lot has changed since then, but what exactly was happening in the entertainment world 20 years ago?

Music

Popstars winner Hear'Say pictured in 2001

In 2001, there was a massive hole to fill. The Spice Girls had broken up and teens all over the world were looking for new icons to follow.

Hear'Say won a reality show called Popstars and their debut single Pure and Simple became the second highest selling record of the year.

However, their fame quickly faded and they disappeared into the reality show wilderness. Although you might recognise Kym Marsh if you're a fan of Coronation Street!

Westlife were the biggest boy band in 2001

You might have heard of the boy band Westlife.

Well, in 2001 they were at their peak, with their album World of Our Own hitting number one in the charts.

Simon Cowell (left) with Ant and Dec during the filming of Pop Idol

We also said hello to Simon Cowell in 2001.

He was one of the judges in a new popstar competition called Pop Idol. He became really popular for being extremely rude to wannabe performers...and he's still the same now!

Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman took the Christmas number one spot with a song called Somethin' Stupid.

Technology

The first ever iPod

The first iPod was revealed by Apple in 2001. It could hold 1,000 songs and had a battery life of 10 hours!

Apple launched a new music library and store called iTunes.

Microsoft also released the first ever Xbox game console.

And do you ever double-check things on Wikipedia? Go on, admit it, we all do it sometimes. The site launched in January 2001.

Wikipedia launched in 2001.

Sport

David Beckham (centre) celebrates with Gary Neville (left) and Martin Keown (right) after taking England to the 2002 World Cup with a last minute freekick against Greece

"Give that man a knighthood" - the words of commentator Gary Bloom after David Beckham smashed in a free-kick in the last minute of a play-off match against Greece. The goal took England into the 2002 World Cup.

In club football, it was Manchester United's time in the Premier League. They won the title for the third year running.

It might be hard to imagine it now but Manchester City were relegated and Ipswich Town finished fifth!

There was also a really bizarre moment in Manchester United's Champions League quarter final against Bayern Munich. Prankster Karl Power put on a full Man United kit and managed to get into the team photo unnoticed (see below).

Prankster Karl Power (he's the one on the far left) manages to get into a Manchester United team photo

Liverpool had a great year as well. They won three trophies - the UEFA Cup (an old version of the Europa League), the FA Cup and League Cup.

Sven-Göran Eriksson became the first foreign manager to take charge of the English national team.

Serena Williams (left) and Venus Williams (right) at Wimbledon in 2001

Venus and Serena Williams were still really good at tennis. As a doubles pair, they'd won all of the Grand Slam tournaments by 2001.

Tiger Woods was dominating in golf. In 2001, he picked up his second Master's title.

Film

Rupert Grint (left), JK Rowling (centre), Daniel Radcliffe (centre) and Emma Watson (right) at the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premiere in 2001

It was a brilliant year for animated films.

For the first time an Oscar was given out for the Best Animated Feature Film. Shrek narrowly beat Monsters Inc to the award!

It was also the first time we saw Harry Potter on the big screen, as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released. It made almost $1 billion at the box office.

If that wasn't enough, the world was introduced to Frodo Baggins and co in The Lord of the Rings.

Showbiz

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the 2001 American Music Awards in matching denim outfits

The famous power couple was Justin Timberlake (who sang Can't Stop the Feeling for the Trolls movie!) and Britney Spears. They turned up at the American Music Awards in matching denim.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a great year for all-round action man Tom Cruise. He and his wife, Nicole Kidman, split up.

Who was born in 2001?

Arsenal footballer Bukayo Saka (right) became the first player born in 2001 to play in the Premier League

One of former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's daughters - Sasha - was born in 2001.

Caleb McLaughlin, aka Lucas from Stranger Things, was also born in 2001.

Can you imagine being worth €25 million at 17 years old? Italian striker Pietro Pellegri was bought from Genoa by Monaco as a 16-year-old for €25 million.

In January 2019, Arsenal footballer Bukayo Saka became the first player born in 2001 to play in the Premier League.