Alan Carr was overwhelmed by the "lovely things" said about him as he received the Special Recognition Award at Tuesday's NTAs, a surprise his friend Amanda Holden kept from him for a week.
The former Chatty Man star, 50, was honoured for his long career in showbiz. The tribute began with a performance of I Know Him So Well from the musical Chess, led by Amanda Holden and Paloma Faith.
Alan Carr on his career
He admitted that while he feels like a newcomer, that is not the case. "Time does fly by. I do sort of see myself as a newcomer but I've been doing it for 20-odd years. The Friday Night Project and Chatty Man just seem like yesterday."
"I could see people I've interviewed, runners who are now producers who are getting NTAs themselves, I just couldn't believe it."
Tearing up, he also gave credit to Oliver Savell, who plays the young Alan in his comedy Changing Ends, who is Bafta-nominated and is starring in a new Adrian Mole-esque series. "He's just having the best year ever. The world's his oyster, it all came together."
Keeping the secret
Alan was tearful as Paloma, who he starred with on Celebrity Traitors towards the end of last year, and close friend Amanda heaped praise on him. Amanda said it had been hell keeping the special recognition award secret from him, and had avoided ringing him all week and arrived on the red carpet early to avoid running into him.
She told Alan that he was the hardest working person she knew and he deserved every bit of his success. He said that he had no idea, but did wonder why he had such a good seat in the front row.
Celebrity Traitors tips
Looking ahead to the new series of Celebrity Traitors, Alan, who emerged victorious from his own series, said he had high hopes for comedienne Miranda Hart. "If they make her a traitor she'll be TV gold."
He said Joanne McNally and Joe Lycett had both asked him for tips and he'd told them: "Just drink lots of rosé and sweat - that's what I did and I won."
He said his top tips for the upcoming Celebrity Traitors were Miranda Hart and Joanne McNally. "If they make Miranda a Traitor it's going to be TV gold," he said. "Joanne is a friend of mine - she's a motormouth! She'll be a whirlwind in there. And the actors will be really good too, like Richard E Grant."
Plugging his new show, he said: "There's something very exciting coming on Disney Plus - I bought a castle. I can't wait for people to see that, I think they'll be really surprised. It's nearly finished." He quipped: "You'll see a different me - butch." Asked what he'd like to do next, he simply said: "Have a rest."
