Stephen Fry gave an emotional speech at the glitzy National Television Awards after being surprised with a Special Recognition Award.
The QI presenter, who is also known for his roles in comedies Jeeves and Wooster and Blackadder, attended the event at London's 02 Arena after Stephen Fry In America was nominated for Most Popular Star Travel Documentary, which he won.
Little did he know he was also in line for the Recognition Award, which was presented to him by Bamber Gascoigne, who hosted University Challenge when Fry took part while he was a student - his first appearance on television.
Fry was visibly moved by the award, and by the tribute tape which included accolades from the Prince of Wales, comedian Jo Brand and former collaborator Hugh Laurie, saying: "I really am completely staggered by this, I had no idea it was going to happen and I feel so unworthy of the most remarkable tribute I've ever seen."
There was also a surprise win for ITV soap Coronation Street, which in its 50th anniversary year, was voted Most Popular Serial Drama by viewers, beating its rival EastEnders.
But there were no surprises in the Outstanding Drama Performance category, in which former Doctor Who actor David Tennant won for the fourth time. The show also beat competition from The Bill, Casualty and Shameless to be crowned Most Popular Drama tonight.
Simon Cowell's hit singing competition The X Factor won Most Popular Talent Show, stealing the crown from its rival Strictly Come Dancing, which won at the last ceremony.
Cowell later announced that he would be making a song to raise money for the Haiti earthquake appeal.
X Factor winner Joe McElderry performed Journey hit Don't Stop Believing during the ceremony, hosted by Dermot O'Leary, but he was upstaged by the competition's runners up, twins John and Edward Grimes.
They wowed the crowd with a mash up of Queen's Under Pressure and Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby, during which rapper Vanilla Ice appeared on stage, to loud gasps from the audience.
