John Bishop moved the audience at this year's NatWest British LGBT Awards last night with a powerful speech about his gay son.

The comedian took to the stage after he was named Ally of the Year, and everyone in the room was touched by his beautiful words.

The funnyman, who attended the awards at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square with his wife Melanie and sons Joe, Luke and Daniel, was shocked but delighted to be handed the award by hosts Mel B and Duncan James.

John, who was supported various LGBT causes, gave a beautiful speech about his family.

He was at the ceremony with his wife and three sons (
Image:
Splash News)

He said: "I was so pleased to be nominated.

"I brought my whole family, my wife and my three sons who I love and I am massively proud of.

"Like all parents we have problems with them.

"One of my sons has a tattoo on his ankle that was meant to be Africa but looks like Australia, one of my sons mumbles and one of my sons is a gay man.

"I’ll be honest, there’s been loads of nights when me and my wife have sat up and worried and worried and worried.

"What are we going to do if he doesn’t stop mumbling?"

John also called for same-sex marriage to be legalised in Northern Ireland.

He said: "I was in Northern Ireland recently. In Northern Ireland it is still illegal to have a same-sex marriage.

"I went to have a chat with some people from the Rainbow Trust who put together the biggest gay pride in the whole of Ireland and it was a real lesson to me.

John Bishop delivering his funny and moving speech
John was named Ally of the Year (
Image:
PA)

"I spoke to them about when the first pride march happened. It is people like this who really paved the way.

"Now the gay pride in Belfast has 60,000 people turn up.

"The first time they did it just fifty brave souls got together and when they walked down the road they were faced with people stood there with placards.

"They had placards shouting at these people ‘You’re going to hell’, ‘Being gay is a sin’, ‘You’re an abomination’.

"Back then there was more protests than marches. Now they dwarf the protestors."

He said he'd asked why the marchers still allow the protesters to attend and that he was told they leave a space for them every year, and simply walk on by holding their heads high.

The comedian received a standing ovation and was later happy to pose for selfies with members of the 600-strong audience.

He gave a powerful speech about his sons (
Image:
Barcroft Media)

Labour MP Dawn Butler, the Shadow Secretary of State for Women & Equalities, said: "It really was a moving speech. What a wonderful night.... so many great moments."

Sue Perkins, Sandi Toksvig, Laverne Cox and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were also among the winners.

Marjorie Strachan, Head of Inclusion at British LGBT Award sponsors NatWest, said: "The NatWest British LGBT Awards have again proven to be a brilliant showcase of the people and organisations that use their platform to promote LGBT+ visibility in Britain.

"People in the public eye, community leaders, businesses and charities that have been recognised because of their efforts to advance the rights of LGBT+ communities should feel incredibly proud.

"NatWest is proud to be involved in this important celebration of diversity and inclusion."

The audience gave him a standing ovation (
Image:
Splash News)

Full Winners List:

Special Recognition Award

Winner: Sir Richard Branson

HuffPost Loud and Proud Award

Winner: Julian Clary

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Sandi Toksvig

Metro Guilty Pleasures Award

Winner: Calum Scott

LGBT+ Celebrity

Winner: Laverne Cox

MTV Music Artist

Winner: Jess Glynne

Virgin Atlantic Celebrity Ally

Winner: John Bishop

Broadcaster or Journalist

Winner: Sue Perkins

Media Moment

Winner: Justin Trudeau apologises to the LGBT+ Community

Online Influencer

Winner: Connor Franta

Park Plaza Brand or Marketing Campaign

Joint winners: Playboy and YouTube

Charity or Community Initiative

Winner: Pride in London

2CITIES1BREAK Top LGBT+ Destination

Winner: Tel Aviv

MI5 Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life

Winner: Susie Green, CEO, Mermaids

Corporate Straight Ally

Winner: Peter Madden, Arcadis

Diversity Champion

Winner: Joanna Walker, Virgin Money

LGBT+ Inspirational Leader

Winner: Pips Bunce, Credit Suisse

LGBT+ Corporate Rising Star

Winner: Jonathan Andrews, Reed Smith

LGBT+ Network Group

Winner: KPMG Breathe

Employer or Company

Winner: MI5