Last night Simon Cowell collected the Most Popular Talent Show award for The X Factor at the ITV National Television Award ceremony.

In his accepatance speach Cowell  kindly dedicated the Award to a colleague who had beaten cancer after a long battle.

The music mogul  received an emotional standing ovation when he honoured Siobhan ‘Shue’ Greene with the gong, who then got up to join him on stage.

The tearful producer said: “I’m just happy to be alive.”

Earlier in the night, Simon had made a surprise appearance on stage as he accepted the award for Most Popular Entertainment Presenter on behalf of Ant & Dec, who had won it for the 10th year in a row, but couldn’t be there as they were doing the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ auditions.

Other winners on the night include:

Most Popular Comedy Programme: ‘Benidorm’.

Most Popular Entertainment Programme: ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here’.

Most Popular Newcomer: Ricky Norwood – ‘EastEnders’.

Most Popular Drama: ‘Waterloo Road’.

Digital Choice: ‘The Inbetweeners’.

Most Outstanding Serial Drama Performance: Lacey Turner – ‘EastEnders’.

Topical Magazine: ‘This Morning’.

Most Popular Factual Programme: ‘Top Gear’.

Most Popular Serial Drama: ‘EastEnders’.

Most Outstanding Drama Performance: David Jason.

Special Recognition: Bruce Forsyth.