Alan Carr receives surprise NTA Special Recognition Award

Comedian Alan Carr was honored with the National Television Awards Special Recognition Award on September 8, 2026, at London’s O2 Arena. The surprise presentation featured a theatrical musical tribute performed by close friends and colleagues. Amanda Holden, Paloma Faith, Kate Garraway, Charlotte Church, and David Olusoga took to the stage to perform a rendition of "I Know Him So Well." The performance began with Paloma Faith being carried onto the stage in a coffin, a nod to her character's demise at the hands of Carr in the reality competition "Celebrity Traitors." Video messages from "Traitors" costar Sir Stephen Fry and host Claudia Winkleman also celebrated Carr's career. Carr, who was unaware of the award, became emotional upon realizing the tribute was for him. He recounted his surprise, stating, "It was only when Paloma came out that I realised it's me." He added that he should have recognized the setup when placed in the front row, a position he typically avoids. Amanda Holden revealed that she deliberately kept the surprise a secret from Carr for a week, even instructing her mother to simply watch the ceremony without revealing the planned tribute.