THE National Television Awards has paid tribute to Birkenhead's Paul O’Grady, who also won an award for his show For The Love Of Dogs.

In a moving tribute, clips from O'Grady's three-decade career were played, from his days as his drag queen persona Lily Savage, presenting The Paul O'Grady show, and with his furry friends at Battersea.

The comedian and TV presenter died "unexpectedly but peacefully" in March at the age of 67, his partner, Andre Portasio, said in a statement.

Viewers were "in tears" at the tribute during the show, with one tweeting: "Omg, the tribute to Paul O'Grady has me in tears! He was a beautiful human being that the world adored."

Another wrote: "What a lovely tribute to our very own Paul O’Grady. Shed a tear at that."

Before a montage from his career was played, host of the awards show Joel Dommett announced that they would be paying tribute to O’Grady and said: “Here at the National Television Awards we wanted to remember someone very special, the one and only Paul O’Grady.

“Nominated an astonishing 28 times for an NTA, his first nearly 30 years ago, his career came in many guises and no matter what he did, there was always kindness coupled with a unique sense of fun that won over audiences in an instance.”

Later on in the show, Davina McCall announced that he had won in the factual entertainment category for his show Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs.

He was up against Clarkson’s Farm, Sort Your Life Out and The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.

Representatives from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home accepted the award and one of them said: "I would like to thank Paul, of course, and the ITV team…for shining a light on the care that we’re able to provide for the 100 or more dogs and cats that come to Battersea every week.

"I know that Paul cared deeply for each and every one of those animals.

"I think that something about their plight and their vulnerability really struck a chord with Paul. He often referred to Battersea as his second home."

O’Grady was hailed as a “trailblazer” for breaking into the mainstream broadcasting landscape with his alter ego and for his charity work around animals and Aids.