“I was at the 2026 National Television Awards and I almost cried.”

It was an emotional night at the National Television Awards on Tuesday.

It was a night of fun, but there were two intense moments when I felt like I was about to cry and a lump formed in my throat.

When I first walked into London’s O2 Arena, I was struck by the surreal scene that unfolded before my eyes. As the night unfolded, I watched the entire cast of EastEnders go wild as they lost their big awards to Emmerdale.

Up ahead I saw The Chase stars Anne Hegerty, Shaun Wallace and Paul Sinha chatting. Scattered throughout the audience were stars of Strictly Come Dancing, Traitors, Line of Duty, This Morning, Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash, recent favorites Olivia Attwood and Pete Wicks and many more.

At one point in the evening, Holly Willoughby took to the stage to present an award for feature documentary. The nominees included documentaries about Caroline Flack, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Jesse Nelson and Sir Chris Hoy, but ultimately the prize went to a documentary about the families affected by the tragic attack in Southport.

The parents of the dead girls took the stage to accept the award, and I don’t think there was a dry face in the room. I was in awe of their strength, their ability to perform in front of people watching across the UK after they had suffered unimaginable losses.

“I can’t believe I’m standing here,” said Jenny Stancomb, Elsie Dot Stancomb’s mother. “This is a documentary that should never have been made.”

I was honored to be in their presence as the thousands of people in that room and many more watching at home vowed to never let their daughters be forgotten.

One viewer named Kat wrote on X: “Absolutely heartbreaking to see Elsie’s parents Dot, Alice and Bebe on stage at the #NTA to collect the award for Our Girls: Southport Families.” Such courage in facing the unthinkable and a reward that was simply never needed. Rest in peace babies 💔.”

“This program should not have been created at all. My heart goes out to these girls’ brave families 💔,” Judy tweeted, while Chloe added: “I cried nonstop watching this documentary. Well deserved.

I will never forget being in the room as an incredibly powerful television documentary brought everyone to their feet, grimly applauding as we remembered three precious lives cruelly ripped from this world.

Another major NTA award was the Special Recognition Award, an award given to a person completely unaware of who deserves wider celebration. Previous recipients of the award include Davina McCall, David Tennant, Sir Billy Connolly and Dame Joanna Lumley. The cream of British talent – who could be next?

As soon as Paloma Faith emerged from her coffin, Celebrity Traitor style, it became clear that there was only one contender for the award: Chatty Alan Carr himself.

As if serenading Alan wasn’t emotional enough, as a compilation of his best TV moments played on the screen, the camera panned to the comedian. He was in a flood of tears, seemingly unable to comprehend the fact that he is national treasure.

Tears welled in my eyes and threatened to spill down my cheeks as he took the stage to give his speech and was interrupted by loud chants of “Alan!” Alan! Alan!’ around the arena. It was a sight to behold.

Looking out at the audience, he said: “I looked over there and saw the people I was interviewing, the runners and the producers who are now getting NTAs themselves… it all came together into one big thing and I think that’s why I was a little upset.”

It’s been almost a year since Alan revealed he was a traitor to David Olusoga and Nick Mohammed by winning the jackpot for his chosen charity Neuroblastoma UK. However, his legacy lives on, especially as we prepare for the second season, which will be released very soon.

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