Channel 4's National Comedy Awards took place recently and saw comedy icons from across the UK being celebrated and awarded.

In a pre-recorded segment Blackburn comedian, Lee Mack, made a touching tribute to the late Sean Lock, who died of cancer last year.

Lee, along with other comedians, shared their stories and memories of the 8 Out of 10 Cats comic.

The former Everton High School pupil said: “There was one moment when I went to see him where he just said to me – and he didn’t say this in an ‘I want to make you feel better’ or ‘I’m trying to convince myself’ way. I just knew it was 100 per cent true and he just said to me: ‘I’ve had a really good life, you know.’

“It was so profound the way he said it, because I thought, ‘He really has,’ because he’s got this fantastic wife, three beautiful kids and he’s spent his life making millions of people laugh. It’s hard to argue with him.”

Lee, who lived in the former Centurion pub off Higher Croft Road when he was a child, released a statement after Sean’s death was announced in August.

It said: “I’ve known this day was coming for some time, but it’s no less heart-breaking. A true original both in comedy and life. I will miss him so much.”

Later in the show, Sean was announced as winner in the Outstanding Male Comedy Entertainment Performance for 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Lancashire Telegraph: Sean Lock. (Photo: Channel 4/PA)Sean Lock. (Photo: Channel 4/PA)

After watching the comedy awards segment many viewers were left ‘in tears’.

One person said: “Whatever you think of the National Comedy Awards, currently on Channel 4, its joyous, tearful tribute to the effortlessly funny Sean Lock justifies every moment.

“Finally catching up on watching The National Comedy Awards and crying at Sean's tribute", said another.

“Such a massive loss and it’s genuinely lovely seeing all the love and respect for him.”

A third viewer said: “Crying so much at the tribute at the National Comedy Awards that has left my eyes welded together”.

The National Comedy Awards for Stand Up To Cancer honours both emerging and established comedy talent, with the British public voting on key prizes, alongside two additional special recognition awards voted for by industry peers.

The categories honour the genre in all its forms with nods to fan-favourites across recent scripted and unscripted comedy, live shows, and the latest, podcast jokers all vying for votes.

Sex Education scooped a clean sweep of awards in the scripted categories with Emma Mackey winning Outstanding Comedy Actress, Asa Butterfield winning Outstanding Comedy Actor, Ncuti Gatwa winning Outstanding Supporting Role and the series itself triumphing in the Best Scripted Comedy category.

In two special recognition awards, Billy Connolly was awarded the Victoria Wood Lifetime Achievement Award and Sharon Horgan received the Caroline Aherne Outstanding Achievement in Writing Award.

The hotly contested Best Stand-Up Show award was won by Ricky Gervais.

Katherine Ryan received the Outstanding Female Comedy Entertainment Performance for 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and on collecting her trophy remarked talked about Jimmy Carr’s roast jokes, remarking “that’s a genre of comedy he happens to be the best at, and I think it’s really important that we all protect that genre, even if people get offended by it.”

Best Comedy Entertainment Show was awarded to Taskmaster, with Greg Davies thanked voters and “the person who is undeniably at the heart of it, is little Alex Horne”.

After a meteoric year on little and large screens, Munya Chawawa was voted Best Breakthrough Performer. He joked “There was a time that I really did believe that my future would be touring small northern towns as a JLS tribute act; thanks to this award, that will not happen for at least another five years.”

Chris and Rosie Ramsey’s podcast Shagged, Married, Annoyed was voted Best Comedy Podcast.

The National Comedy Awards can be viewed on All 4.