Alan Carr fights back tears as he receives surprise NTA Special Recognition Award

Alan Carr was visibly emotional at the National Television Awards after being unexpectedly presented with one of the ceremony’s biggest honours, with close friend Amanda Holden leading a musical tribute that left him fighting back tears.

The 50-year-old comedian received the Special Recognition Award at the 2026 NTAs on Tuesday night, capping an eventful period in his television career.

The surprise was carefully disguised. Amanda Holden, 55, took to the stage alongside a group of Alan’s friends and Celebrity Traitors co-stars, including Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church, Kate Garraway and David Olusoga.

Together, they performed I Know Him So Well, the well-known song from the musical Chess, as they gradually revealed that the tribute was for Alan.

Paloma’s entrance added another clue for anyone familiar with Alan’s recent television exploits. She was carried onto the stage inside a coffin, referencing the dramatic events of The Celebrity Traitors, in which Alan famously emerged as the winner of the inaugural celebrity series.

The musical tribute was followed by a video celebrating Alan’s career, featuring messages from some of television’s best-known names.

Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman were among those to pay tribute to the comedian, with the footage looking back at highlights including his hugely popular chat show Chatty Man and his appearance on Celebrity Traitors.

The surprise left Alan visibly moved as he took to the stage to accept the award.

“It’s amazing. It’s been very surreal and triggering,” he said.

He also thanked the viewers whose support had helped make the moment possible.

“But thank you, because if you didn’t watch the shows and vote, then I wouldn’t be here.”

The Special Recognition Award is a particularly significant honour at the NTAs, as it is the only category at the ceremony that is not decided by a public vote. Alan’s win came after a year in which Celebrity Traitors became a major television talking point, with his role in the series adding another memorable chapter to his career.

Alan’s emotional reaction quickly prompted a warm response from viewers watching the ceremony.

One viewer wrote on X: “Soo happy for Alan carr what a great reaction #ntas.”

Another posted: “I’m so happy Alan Carr won the special recognition award. He truly deserves it. BRING BACK CHATTY MAN!”

A third viewer added: “So lovely to see this! Go Alan Carr!”

Another message read: “Well done to Alan Carr @chattyman on your special recognition award. Well deserved.”

The award brought an emotional moment to a night that also saw The Celebrity Traitors take the Reality Competition prize. Alan returned to the stage later in the ceremony to accept that award alongside his co-stars, making it an especially memorable evening for the comedian.

For Alan, however, the standout moment was the surprise recognition from his friends and colleagues, as Amanda Holden and the rest of the group managed to keep the identity of the evening’s honouree hidden until the final reveal.

After years on television, the comedian was left visibly touched as the room celebrated his contribution to the medium.