Alan Carr was visibly emotional after being presented with a surprise special recognition award at the National Television Awards. The 50-year-old comedian was serenaded during the ceremony by Amanda Holden, Paloma Faith, Kate Garraway, Charlotte Church, and David Olusoga, all of whom were contestants on Celebrity Traitors.
Paloma Faith made a memorable entrance, carried on stage inside a black coffin, referencing her 'murder' by Carr on the game show spin-off. Stephen Fry, another of Carr's Traitors co-stars, paid tribute in a video, stating, “Despite the wickedness, despite the cruelty of the man, it’s very hard not to love him.”
A shocked Carr struggled to hold back tears as he realised the tribute was for him. Collecting the award, he joked, “This is how thick I am, it was only when Paloma came out that I realised it’s me.” He later explained his emotion, saying, “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.”
Carr was also at the NTAs representing his semi-autobiographical ITV series, Changing Ends, which was nominated in the comedy category. However, the award ultimately went to Mrs Brown’s Boys, which Carr had jokingly critiqued on the red carpet.