Alan Carr broke down in tears after a surprise tribute from his Celebrity Traitors co-stars as he picked up an unexpected win at the ceremony. It has been a turbulent period for the comedian, who won the hearts of the nation on Claudia Winkleman’s BBC phenomenon The Traitors. The show’s first ever celebrity version aired last year, with a second on the way.
Paired with singer Cat Burns and ITV presenter Jonathan Ross, Alan was one of three traitors causing mischief in the Scottish Highlands. Managing to make it all the way to the tense grand final, Alan outsmarted the remaining faithfuls in a win that no one watching at home saw coming.
Donation to Charity
As a result of winning the first ever Celebrity Traitors, Alan donated his £87,500 prize to children's cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK. Since then, Alan appeared on Amazon Prime Video’s Last One Laughing and a new season of his comedy Changing Ends, which follows his life.
On Tuesday night (September 8), Alan was in attendance at London’s O2 for this year’s NTAs. While not nominated himself, The Celebrity Traitors was up for Best Reality Competition. However, during the ceremony, Alan was surprised with the special recognition award. The award is given to people or programmes that have made a significant contribution to British television over a number of years.
Surprise Tribute
Rather than revealing it was Alan instantly, his Celebrity co-stars Amanda Holden, Paloma Faith, Kate Garraway, Charlotte Church and David Olusoga serenaded him through song live on stage. Paloma was carried onto the stage in a black coffin, in a reference to her dramatic murder by Carr on Celebrity Traitors. It was then when some of the other stars he overcame made their way to the stage.
In a video tribute after the performance, Paloma said: “Despite the wickedness, despite the cruelty of the man, it’s very hard not to love him.” Claudia Winkleman added: “He’s delicious, isn’t he? I’d like him on a cracker.”
Emotional Acceptance
Collecting the gong, Alan, who was crying from the moment he noticed it was him who won, said: “It's amazing. It's been very surreal and triggering. But thank you [to the audience], because if you didn't watch the shows and vote, then I wouldn't be here.”
Showcasing his trademark sense of humour, Alan added: "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."
