Lea Michele in emotional tribute to Glee co-star Cory Monteith at awards ceremony

Lea Michele was making her first public appearance since Monteith's death. Credit: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Glee actress Lea Michele has made a tearful tribute to her former co-star and boyfriend Cory Monteith at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Making her first public appearance since Monteith's death of a drug and alcohol overdose last month, Michele thanked fans of the hit TV show for their "love and support".

In her acceptance speech at the Teen Choice Awards, Michele said:

An autopsy revealed that Monteith died of "mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol" aged 31.

Glee producers are planning a tribute episode to honour the star in the new series of the show, which will begin on 26 September in the US.

Read: Glee plans tribute for Monteith