Amanda Holden revealed that she deliberately avoided speaking to her close friend Alan Carr for a week leading up to the National Television Awards (NTAs) to keep her tribute performance a surprise. The television personality, 55, discussed the secrecy surrounding her performance on Heart FM, detailing how she managed to keep the tribute, a rendition of "I Know Him So Well" from the musical Chess, under wraps.
Carr, who was honored with the Special Recognition gong at the ceremony, was reportedly unaware of the tribute until his "The Traitors" co-star Paloma Faith emerged from a coffin on stage. Holden told her co-host Jamie Theakston that she did not even inform her own mother until the moment she was due to appear, instructing her simply to "watch it."
"Me and Alan have got the biggest gobs in showbusiness and we can't keep any secrets!" Holden explained, emphasizing the necessity of her week-long silence.
Following the performance, Carr was visibly emotional, with Holden noting his glasses were steamed up. She recounted a moment where her instinct was to remove his glasses to clean them, a gesture she often performs for him, but was unable to due to her attire.
Viewers reacted positively to the performance, with some describing it as "iconic" and the "greatest NTAs moment ever." The impromptu duo of Holden and Faith even sparked suggestions that they could be a potential Christmas number one act.
During his acceptance speech, Carr admitted his surprise, stating it was only when Faith appeared that he realized the performance was in his honor. He humorously remarked on his own lack of awareness, noting he should have recognized the setup when placed in the front row.
The NTAs ceremony, hosted by Joel Dommett, saw several other notable winners. David Attenborough received the award for Best Presenter, marking a significant moment in his 100th year. Jeremy Clarkson's series "Clarkson's Farm" won for Reality Docuseries, and "The 1% Club" secured the award for Quiz Show.
Other awards included "Mrs Brown's Boys" for Best Comedy Show and "Gogglebox" for Factual Entertainment. The Drama Performance category featured an all-female shortlist for the first time, with Vicky McClure taking home the award for her role in "Trigger Point." "I Fought the Law" received the New Drama award, while "Our Girls: The Southport Families" won for Authored Documentary. "Call the Midwife" was recognized as best Returning Drama, and "Emmerdale" won Best Serial Drama, with Jeff Hordley winning in the Serial Drama Performance category.