Rock star Meat Loaf was brought to tears after being recognised for his contribution to music at the annual Q Awards.
The Bat Out Of Hell singer was handed the Hero Award at the ceremony in north London on Wednesday night before revealing he had battled emergency surgery four weeks ago.
He dedicated his award to every day heroes and called on people to "bring love back into this world".
And the rock stalwart, who reportedly collapsed on stage in Canada earlier this year, told the Press Association he was still "in pain" after the operation last month.
He said: "I'm just ready to sit down because four weeks ago I had spinal fusion. There was a cyst which was pinching nerves so I had emergency back surgery."
Collecting his Hero award at the Roundhouse after a montage of hits played out, Meat Loaf said: "You brought tears to my eyes - thank you very much," before adding "A hero, let's think about that word for second.
"I know we all have heroes but a hero is somebody who does something good for everybody every day.
"Whether it's to open a door for somebody, whether it's saying thank you or you're welcome, to help the less fortunate, to do whatever you can to bring love back into this world. Because we need it folks, we need it."
Also acknowledged at the awards for their contribution to music were American group Blondie whose lead singer Debbie Harry backed a call for the Queen to replace Donald Trump if the controversial businessman beats Hillary Clinton in the US presidential election.
Speaking on the red carpet before the event Harry said: There's a very small movement to bring the Queen back in the States, I'd be okay with that."
Wearing an outfit that featured the slogan 'stop f****** the planet', Harry said she was "very nervous" about the election, adding she had already voted for Clinton.
"I think she (Clinton) has a ton of experience. She's professional and she has good ideas. And whether she can actually get them through the Senate and House of Representatives is another story but that's the game of politics and that's the reason I support her, because she's a real politician."
British rock band Muse collected the Best Act in the World Today and backed the Queen taking back America, calling it a "genius idea".
Frontman Matt Bellamy joked: "She should take back America and I think that's the way forward. That's what my vote would be, the Queen."
Asked if award ceremonies had become a drag after collecting their seventh Q Award, Bellamy said: "It's not a drag at all.
"A drag is getting up at 8am and doing your exams and school - that's a drag. Or I worked in a Londis for a few years that was a real drag.
"Coming to the Q awards for the best band in the world is quite far from being a drag, it's actually quite a fun experience."