Alan Carr in the NTAs audience on Tuesday night Alan Carr was reduced to tears at the National Television Awards on Tuesday, when he was stunned to receive the Special Recognition prize, after giving TV fans a year of iconic moments. During the ceremony, viewers were treated to a Celebrity Traitors-inspired musical performance of I Know Him So Well in Alan’s honour, which included Paloma Faith emerging from a coffin, in a nod to her friend Alan brutally “murdering” her right at the beginning of last year’s series. The comedian was also serenaded by more of the “Faithfuls” from his series, including Kate Garraway, Charlotte Church and David Olusoga as well as his partner in house restoration crime, Amanda Holden. @chattyman gets a surprise performance from some familiar faces as he celebrates an incredible contribution to television ✨ The 2026 Special Recognition Award goes to Alan Carr. A very well deserved #NTA206pic.twitter.com/15LA1eJaaJ — National TV Awards (@OfficialNTAs) September 8, 2026 In a video tribute, Sir Stephen Fry declared: “Despite the wickedness, despite the cruelty of the man, it’s very hard not to love him.” Once Alan realised the performance wasn’t just a tribute to the BBC reality series, but to him specifically, he struggled to hold back tears. Collecting the prize, Alan told the audience: “This is how thick I am, it was only when Paloma came out that I realised [the award was for] me.” He quipped: “I should have realised, when they put me in the front row, I’m usually in the back with the people from Naked Attraction.” Accepting his award, he added: “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.” The comedian and presenter, who was also nominated for an award for his sitcom Changing Ends, later spoke backstage about why receiving the award had been so emotional for him. “I looked out there [in the crowd] and saw people [I had] interviewed, runners and producers who are now getting NTAs themselves,” an emotional Alan shared backstage. “It all came together in one big thing and I think that’s why I got a bit upset.” He added: “I’ll also never forget Paloma poking her head out of a coffin and serenading me.” Paloma described taking part as “all in homage to my beautiful friend, who deserved it more than anybody else”, with Amanda adding: “You’ve had the most incredible year. It’s been like Christmas… and you’ve totally deserved it.” It truly has been an amazing 12 months for Alan – not only did he win the first series of The Celebrity Traitors and brought season three of Changing Ends to ITV, he also appeared in Amanda And Alan’s Greek Job, season two of Last One Laughing and was announced as a new judge on The Masked Singer. In past years, the Special Recognition Award has been won by the likes of Wallace and Gromit, Sir Lenny Henry, Davina McCall and Sir Michael Palin. READ MORE: 21 Must-See Moments You Might Have Missed From The 2026 National Television Awards Here's The Full List Of Winners From The 2026 National Television Awards All The A-List Photos You Need To See From The 2026 NTAs Red Carpet