Sean Spicer makes surprise Emmys appearance to mock Trump: 'This will be the largest audience, period'

The former White House press secretary referenced his infamous "alternative facts" comments

Emmys 2017 host Stephen Colbert's opening monologue took a surprising turn when former White House press secretary Sean Spicer came on stage to send not only himself but Donald Trump up.

Audience members, comprised of TVs biggest stars, watched on in awe as Spicer appeared behind his signature podium - the same one comedienne Melissa McCarthy, also present, used to famously send him up on Saturday Night Live.

The moment arrived as Colbert joked about the Emmys' audience size, mocking Spicer's now-infamous “alternative facts” comment he made in reference to the crowd size at Trump's inauguration in January.

Spicer said: “This will be the largest audience to witness an Emmys period, both in person and around the world," following which Colbert exclaimed: “Melissa McCarthy, everyone."

Not everyone found the cameo funny.

The 69th Emmys ceremony's first winners were John Lithgow for his Supporting role as Winston Churchill in Netflix series The Crown and Kate McKinnon for her appearance as Hillary Clinton on SNL.

Westworld, The Handmaid's Tale and Stranger Things are all competing for the evening's Best Drama category with Game of Thrones and Twin Peaks both not eligible for inclusion.