Clooney wins humanitarian award at Emmys

George Clooney received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at this year's Emmys on Sunday.

He was given the prize in recognition of his use of television to aid good causes.

The Up in the Air actor was presented with the gong by fellow ex-ER star Julianna Margulies, and was honoured with a standing ovation from the crowd.

Clooney told his audience: "It's important to remember how much good can get done because we live in such strange times where bad behaviours suck up all the attention in the press and the people who really need the spotlight, the Haitians, the Sudanese, the people in the Gulf Coast… Pakistan, they can't get any [press].

"I thought maybe there was a way to combine the two. I offered to go to South Sudan and have a wardrobe malfunction, but it was pointed out to me that I'm 49 and it would just be upsetting and kind of sad."

He added: "The truth is when a disaster happens, everybody wants to help. Everybody in this room wants to help, everybody at home wants to help. The hard part is seven months later, five years later, when we're on to a new story.

"And honestly, we fail at that most of the time. That's the fact. I failed at that. So here's hoping that some very bright person right here in the room or at home watching can help find a way to keep the spotlight burning on these heartbreaking situations that continue to be heartbreaking long after the cameras go away. That would be an impressive accomplishment."