Lea Michele dedicated her Teen Choice award to her late boyfriend and Glee co-star Cory Monteith. Michele's acceptance speech was tearful but she continued smiling bravely. She said the late actor, who died last month, was "very special"; had a "beautiful heart" and "incredible talent".

Lea Michele
Lea Michele at the PaleyFest Icon Awards held in Beverly Hills.

Michele climbed on to the stage with Glee's version of Journey 'Don't Stop Believin'' blaring in the background. Michele appeared genuinely thrilled at having won her award for Best Comedy Actress, smiling broadly and placing her hands on her heart. 

Her acceptance speech was emotional and tear filled. Michele thanked fans for their concern since Cory Monteith's death on 13th July, on the subject she said: "I just wanted to be here today to personally thank all of you, and tell everyone out there how much all your love and support has meant to me over these past and very difficult few weeks." She went on to say the fans of Glee were "most certainly the greatest fans in the world."

This is not the first time Michele has thanked fans, although it marks the first time she has publically spoken about Monteith's tragic death. A couple of weeks after Monteith's passing, Michele posted on her Twitter, she wrote: "Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love & support. Cory will forever be in my heart." She also attached a picture of the two embracing and smiling.

The 26-year-old actress then announced she wanted to "dedicate this award to Cory." Her voice began to break at this point but she continued by saying "for all of your out there who loved and admired Cory as much as I did. I promise that with your love we're going to get through this together."

On Monteith, Michele said "he was very special to me and also to the world. And we were very lucky to witness his incredible talent; his handsome smile and his beautiful, beautiful heart." She finished her speech by once again thanking fans and claiming that: "whether you know him personally or just as Finn Hudson, Cory reached out and he became a part of all our hearts. And that's where he'll stay forever."

At the end of her speech a picture of Monteith appeared on the screen behind her. Monteith died on July 13th aged just 31, he was found dead in his Vancouver hotel room, a coroner ruled he had died of a lethal mixture of heroin and alcohol.

Lea Michele
Lea Michele at the FOX 2103 Upfront Presentation Post-Party, held at Wollman Rink in New York.

Lea Michele and Cory Monteith
Cory Monteith and Lea Michele at the PaleyFest Icon Awards.