Alan Carr was left fighting back tears after being honoured with a surprise special recognition award at the National Television Awards.
During the ceremony, the comic, 50, was serenaded by Amanda Holden, along with his fellow Celebrity Traitors contestants Paloma Faith, Kate Garraway, Charlotte Church and David Olusoga.
Faith was carried on stage inside a black coffin, in a nod to her dramatic murder by Carr on the celebrity game show spin-off. In a video tribute to Carr, another of his Traitors co-stars Stephen Fry said: “Despite the wickedness, despite the cruelty of the man, it’s very hard not to love him.”
Host Claudia Winkleman added: “He’s delicious, isn’t he? I’d like him on a cracker."
A shocked looking Carr struggled to hold back tears in his seat as he realised the tribute was dedicated to him.
Collecting the award, the former Chatty Man host said: “This is how thick I am, it was only when Paloma came out that I realised it’s me. I should have realised when they put me in the front row, I’m usually in the back with the people from Naked Attraction.”
Carr grew emotional while talking about the win once again. “I looked out there and saw people I interviewed [on Chatty Man], runners and producers who are now getting NTAs themselves … it all came together in one big thing and I think that’s why I got a bit upset,” he explained.
“I’ll also never forget Paloma poking her head out of a coffin and serenading me.”
Faith described taking part as “all in homage to my beautiful friend, who deserved it more than anybody else”, with Holden, who presents travel shows with Carr, adding: “You’ve had the most incredible year. It’s been like Christmas … and you’ve totally deserved it.”
While Carr was at the NTAs to represent The Celebrity Traitors, he was also there for Changing Ends, the semi-autobiographical ITV series about his life, which was nominated in the comedy category.
Speaking on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, Carr took a swipe at NTAs favourite Mrs Brown’s Boys, which was also nominated for the same award.
“Comedy is so subjective... Mrs Brown's Boys wins every year, why am I even here?” he joked to BBC News.
Brendan O’Carroll’s divisive comedy series did end up taking home the award, also beating Amandaland, Last One Laughing and Not Going Out.
Speaking backstage after accepting the honour, Carr said his chat show, Alan Carr: Chatty Man, which ran from 2009 until 2017, felt like “yesterday”.
“I looked out there (in the crowd) and saw people I interviewed, runners and producers who are now getting NTAs themselves … it all came together in one big thing and I think that’s why I got a bit upset,” he said, holding back tears once more.
He added: “I’ll also never forget Paloma poking her head out of a coffin and serenading me.”
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