Alan Carr emotional at NTAs after Celebrity Traitors success

Comedian Alan Carr held back tears as he received the Special Recognition prize at the 31st National Television Awards on Tuesday. The award capped a whirlwind year for Carr, who credited the reality show The Celebrity Traitors for bringing him unprecedented popularity.

Speaking to reporters on the red carpet before the ceremony, Carr had joked about his chances in the Comedy category. "Comedy is so subjective... Mrs Brown's Boys wins every year, why am I even here?" he said. He was proven right when Mrs Brown's Boys won the Comedy prize, but the night took a surprising turn for Carr later.

A Traitors-themed tribute

The audience at the London ceremony was first treated to a musical performance themed around The Traitors in Carr's honour. Fellow cast member Paloma Faith emerged from a coffin during the number. Carr then received the Special Recognition award, the only category not decided by public vote.

Carr had predicted there would be "ugly crying" if he won a prize, and he became emotional during his acceptance. He told reporters News that being part of The Celebrity Traitors was a "phenomenon." "I've never had popularity like it," he said.

His show had more reason to celebrate. The Celebrity Traitors beat the original version of the programme to win the Reality Competition award. Co-star Charlotte Church praised the final, which attracted 15 million viewers within seven days, calling it a "beautiful vignette of male tenderness and emotional expression."

Other major winners

Sir David Attenborough was named Best Presenter in his 100th birthday year, breaking the long-running streak of Ant and Dec. While not in attendance, a message from Attenborough was read urging people to help protect the natural world.

Clarkson's Farm won an award for the second year running, taking the new Celebrity-Led Reality Docuseries prize. The category also featured shows from Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash, Tyson Fury, Kelvin Fletcher, and Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse.

In the drama categories, Vicky McClure won Best Drama Performance for Trigger Point from the first all-female shortlist in the category's history. "Over the years it has not been our space, and here we are dominating that category," she told reporters New Drama award went to ITV's I Fought The Law, starring Sheridan Smith.

The full list of winners

The BBC published the full list of nominees and winners from the ceremony.

Away from the awards, nominee Graham Norton revealed his red carpet outfit had previously been worn to Taylor Swift's wedding, though he declined to give details about the celebration.