Comedian Alan Carr was overcome with emotion as he accepted the Special Recognition award at the National Television Awards on Tuesday, celebrating his two-decade career in television.
Carr, who admitted he suspected a surprise after being seated in the front row, was honored with a special performance by his friends Amanda Holden and Paloma Faith. Faith's dramatic entrance, emerging from a coffin in an apparent nod to her role in "Celebrity Traitors," particularly captivated viewers.
Fans took to social media platform X to laud the performance as "the campest thing they've ever seen." One user wrote, "When Paloma rose from the coffin; This is so iconic OMG." Another commented, "Paloma Faith singing in a coffin to honour Alan Carr is the greatest NTAs moment ever."
During his acceptance speech, Carr lightheartedly remarked on his surprise, joking, "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's Special Recognition award was one of several presented throughout the evening at London's O2 Arena. Sir David Attenborough, in his 100th year, won Best Presenter, marking the second consecutive year Ant and Dec did not receive the award. Their long-held record of 23 wins was broken by Gary Lineker last year, and now by Attenborough.
"This Morning" continued its winning streak, taking home the award for Best Daytime show. "Strictly Come Dancing" secured the gong for Best Talent Show, while "The Celebrity Traitors" won in the Reality Competition category. Jeremy Clarkson's "Clarkson's Farm" also received an award for Reality Docuseries.
Other notable wins included "The 1% Club" for Quiz Show, "Michael McIntyre's Big Show" for The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, and "Mrs Brown's Boys" for Best Comedy Show. "Gogglebox" was awarded the Factual Entertainment gong. In the drama categories, Vicky McClure won Drama Performance for her role in "Trigger Point," "I Fought the Law" took home New Drama, and "Call the Midwife" won Best Returning Drama. "Emmerdale" secured Best Serial Drama, with Jeff Hordley winning Serial Drama Performance. "Our Girls: The Southport Families" won the Authored Documentary award.