Jelly Roll offered a "healing moment" for those mourning "storytellers" at the Emmy Awards on Sunday

He said: "I believe that music is therapeutic. I believe that music can heal. I also believe that storytelling is just as cathartic. I hope this song can act as a healing moment for those who are mourning the storytellers we have lost this year.

"If you are feeling lost or alone tonight then I want you to know that it's okay to not always be okay."

He then sang the ballad as images of producers, writers, ex ecutives, crew members and performers who have passed away over the last 12 months were shown on screen.

Among those remembered in the tribute were actor Ryan O'Neal, presenter Phil Donoghue, fitness guru Richard Simmons, actress Shannen Doherty, and actors Carl Weathers, Donald Sutherland and James Earl Jones.

Veteran comedian Bob Newhart - who died in July aged 94 - was the final performer shown on screen and Jimmy Kimmel came out on stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to pay tribute to him.

He quipped in part: "The Emmy for deceased industry professional we will miss most goes to...

"Hi everyone, this is the time in the show where we remember the legends we've lost over the past year, one of whom I was very lucky to know and that was Bob Newhart.

"Those of you who knew Bob know he was exactly who you thought he was and who you hoped he would be. He did not have range. He didn't need to have range - Bob had what very few comedians have, especially today; a degree in accounting."