Jane Lynch at the Emmy Awards

Jane Lynch at the Emmy Awards

Jane Lynch heralded Cory Monteith as a "beautiful soul" at the 65th annual Emmy Awards last night (22.09.13).

The 'Glee' actress - who plays cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in the hit musical comedy - led a tribute to her late co-star, who died from heroin overdose in a Canadian hotel in July, saying he was a "wonderful" man whose addiction to drugs led to "senseless destruction".

She said: "Cory was a beautiful soul. He was not perfect, which many of us here tonight can relate to. His death is a tragic reminder of the rapacious, senseless destruction that is brought on by addiction.

"Tonight we remember Cory for all he was and mourn the loss of all he could have been. To a generation that loved Cory so, please know this gifted and wonderful young man was worthy of your love.

"And if you were lucky enough to know Cory as we did, and witness first hand Cory's goofy, breezy sense of humour, his natural instinct for inclusiveness and his unbridled sense of generosity day in and day out, I promise you have loved him even more."

The planned tribute to Cory - who died aged 31 earlier this year - was criticised just hours before the ceremony by the son of late 'Odd Couple' actor Jack Klugman.

Adam Klugman expressed his unhappiness at the Emmys' decision to pay tribute to the 'Glee' star instead of his father, who died in December last year.

He said: "They're celebrating this self-inflicted tragedy instead of celebrating the life of my father, who won three Emmys.... Cory Monteith never won an Emmy."

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