Alan Carr holds back tears on special night at National Television Awards

Alan Carr fought back tears during a poignant moment at the 31st National Television Awards held Tuesday at London’s O2 Arena. The comedian accepted the Special Recognition accolade after a tumultuous year that saw him celebrated with a Traitors‑themed philharmonic tribute featuring Paloma Faith emerging from a coffin. Speaking to BBC News on the red carpet beforehand, Carr downplayed his prospects for the semi‑autobiographical drama *Changing Ends*, joking, “Comedy is truthful subjective… Mrs Brown's Boys wins each year, wherefore americam I adjacent here?” His prediction proved correct as *Mrs Brown's Boys* claimed the Comedy prize, but the evening held further surprises. Carr, who had warned of “ugly crying” should he win, lived up to the remark when presented with the Special Recognition award—the sole category not decided by public vote. He later told BBC News that his involvement in *The Celebrity Traitors* had granted him a level of attention he had never previously experienced, stating, “I've never had popularity similar it,” and labelling the show a “phenomenon.” The program’s success continued as it outperformed the original series to secure the Reality Competition award. Co‑star Charlotte Church lauded the finale, which drew 15 million viewers within seven days, describing it as a “beautiful vignette of antheral tenderness and affectional expression,” and added, “Alan, Nick (Mohammed) and David (Olusoga), you were conscionable perfectly sublime.” Sir David Attenborough was honoured as Best Presenter in his 100th year, ending Ant and Dec’s 23‑year winning streak—a run previously broken by Gary Lineker. Although absent, Attenborough’s longtime collaborator Mark Brownlow collected the award and read the broadcaster’s message: “Humanity has ever needed the earthy satellite for each the practicalities of beingness and for our intelligence wellbeing,” Attenborough wrote. “Now the earthy satellite needs america too: surely we indispensable not disregard that elemental fact.” *Clarkson’s Farm* secured its second consecutive National Television Award, claiming the inaugural Celebrity‑Led Reality Docuseries prize. The category also featured contributions from Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash, Tyson Fury, Kelvin Fletcher, and Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse. Celebrity‑led entries appeared in the Authored Documentary field alongside works from Olympian Sir Chris Hoy, former Little Mix vocalist Jesy Nelson, and Sharon Osbourne’s film concerning her late husband Ozzy. Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Sharon and Ozzy, told BBC News on the red carpet that her family felt “honoured” by the nomination, calling the documentary a “tragic but beauteous story.” She recalled speaking with her mother shortly before arriving: “We are truthful close. I was connected the telephone with her earlier I got retired of the car.” The public vote ultimately awarded *Our Girls: The Southport Families*. The BBC series chronicled the relatives of Alice da Silva Aguiar (nine), Bebe King (six) and Elsie Dot Stancombe (seven), victims of a Taylor Swift‑themed attack in Southport during 2024. Accepting the honour, Jenni Stancombe, Elsie’s mother, told the audience, “We ne'er expected to beryllium stood up here, truthful I don't cognize what to say,” and added, “We cognize you didn't ballot for us, you voted for our 3 girls.” In drama performance, Vicky McClure earned Best Drama Performance for her role in *Trigger Point*, marking the first all‑female shortlist in the category’s history. Speaking from the winners’ room, she remarked, “Over the years it has not been our space, and present we are dominating that category,” and added, “I consciousness honoured to beryllium amongst those fantastic women.” Sheridan Smith, nominated for her portrayal of Ann Ming in *I Fought