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

Alan Carr's emotional night at the 31st National Television Awards was marked by a surprise win for his semi-autobiographical comedy Changing Ends in the Special Recognition category. The London audience had just enjoyed a Traitors-themed musical performance featuring Paloma Faith emerging from a coffin before Carr received the unexpected award.

Carr had previously downplayed his chances of winning, joking about the subjective nature of comedy and Mrs. Brown's Boys' consistent victories. However, his heartfelt acceptance of the award showcased the impact and popularity of The Celebrity Traitors, which also claimed the Reality Competition prize. Fellow cast member Charlotte Church praised the final episode of the show, which attracted 15 million viewers in just seven days.

Sir David Attenborough was named Best Presenter in his 100th birthday year, winning over Ant and Dec after a 23-year streak. Mark Brownlow, Attenborough's long-time collaborator, accepted the award on his behalf, emphasizing the importance of protecting the natural world. Clarkson's Farm secured its second consecutive win in the Celebrity-Led Reality Docuseries category, while Our Girls: The Southport Families emerged victorious in the public-voted Authored Documentary category, following the tragic murders of three young girls in Southport in 2024.

In the drama categories, Vicky McClure won Best Drama Performance for her role in Trigger Point, making her one of the few women to dominate the category in its history.