Jonathan Ross: I thought NTA gong was a fix
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Wossy admits he was paranoid it was a sop from his new ITV bosses, a pat on the back for signing up.
He confesses: "I did query that. I said, 'Is this just because I'm on ITV? Please, if it's for that then I don't want it.'
"But they said, 'No, people from Channel 4 and the BBC also said you should have it.' "
Even so, Wossy admits he still had doubts about the prize, which came off the back of 25 years on the box. He says: "I'm uncomfortable with praise. I don't know how to respond to it. It's really lovely but I've had to learn how to accept it. I'm embarrassed by it.
"I feel I'm so lucky to be doing this job, you don't need to give me an award."
It was a neat turnaround, as earlier that night Jonathan had been beaten to the chat show gong by Channel 4 rival Alan Carr.
King Gong ... Jonathan Ross with NTA Special Recognition Award
As he made his ITV chat show debut in September, the whole BBC Sachsgate drama — in which he broadcast rude prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs — was still on his mind and he focused too much on trying to keep his nose clean.
He says: "The first series on ITV I was trying to second-guess the audience and I think people noticed that I didn't look as comfortable.
"I felt nervous. I was worried the audience might not want to watch any more or that we might say something that would trigger another frenzy."
Jonathan has also toned down his famous flirting — the habit that got him into trouble on his BBC show when he once told Gwyneth Paltrow he wanted to f*** her.
Mock star ... Tim Minchin joked about Jesus
"It would feel creepy. I can't be like Sid James looking at a young girl. I feel like an older man now."
The show is not a flirt-free zone though. When he had Lady GaGa as a guest she remarked he was so pleased to see her, he had a "teeny tiny erection".
The most high-profile instance of censorship on his new show was not down to him.
ITV chiefs axed a segment featuring a song by Aussie comic Tim Minchin that mocked Jesus, fearing it would offend Christians.
Best wishes ... Jonathan Ross was pleased Graham Norton landed his BBC Radio 2 slot
"I'm accepting of all faiths — even scientology.
"The two big disappointments in my life are that none of the big Hollywood stars have tried to get me to become a scientologist — and Frankie Howerd didn't try to get me to kiss him. I've given them all the opportunities."
Any changes to the show certainly haven't affected his pulling power — he's got David Beckham on next week and Simon Cowell is tentatively booked.
He says: "I think this series has had some of the best shows we've done for years." And ITV chiefs have given him their backing, with a £2million deal for three series, including the current run.
No kiss ... from Frankie Howerd, for Jonathan Ross
And it doesn't stop there. I meet Jonathan at his office-cum-toy-shop in Camden Town, north London. It is festooned with toy robots, wrestling masks and a Sylvanian Families house. It is a hive of activity.
The BBC's former film show host is buzzing with excitement about his new projects.
He is making a new programme about movies — one of his passions and his scriptwriter wife Jane Goldman's vocation.
He says: "It's for ITV and it's very different. It's Top Gear for film. We're looking at film without it being a film buff thing. I'll be like the ringmaster and we'll do things like sending someone out to try out some of the best film chat-up lines."
Flirty something ... Jonathan Ross with chat show guest Gwyneth Paltrow
"My dream would be to make a show that dads can watch with their sons — or daughters. It would be like a fun cartoon strip."
There's also a wrestling show in the pipeline for another channel, which he tells me about on the QT — and it sounds suitably bonkers.
But none of the new telly stuff we talk about seems to be for the BBC — though he suggests he's not really a BBC man anyway nowadays.
He says: "I miss doing the Radio 2 show. I was quite pleased when I heard Graham Norton was doing it but I've never listened to it.
Joker ... legendary actor Sid James
"It's all right being this bastion of highbrow entertainment but that's not what Britain is like any more.
"You should continue to make those shows but you continue to make shows that appeal to mainstream audiences who don't necessarily want to listen to classical music or watch a documentary about Rodin."
Jonathan is so happy with his lot these days that he has even started drinking again after 11 years off the sauce.
He was never an alcoholic, he just didn't want it to get in the way of his career, as many performers have let it. He also quit for his kids — Honey, Harvey and Betty — who he dotes on.
Lucky ... Jonathan Ross with his wife Jane Goldman
"Now I have two beers and I don't want any more. I'll have some water and maybe some more later."
Wossy was given his gong on Wednesday night by Bruce Forsyth — now a knight of the realm.
Jonathan has an OBE but reckons his chances of joining Brucie with a knighthood are over.
He jokes: "I think that boat has sailed. My wife's got more chance of becoming a lady than I have of becoming a knight. I think I got the OBE just in time.
"For a brief period it was a family tradition to wear it while I was watching Big Brother.
"I told Prince Charles and he said that's OK. But now it's on Five he might not be happy."
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