Christina Applegate has been praised by her Samantha Who? co-star Jean Smart - because she returned to the set just weeks after winning her battle against breast cancer earlier this year.

Applegate went back to work last week after undergoing a double mastectomy in a bid to beat the disease following her diagnosis in July.

Smart embraced the actress before she took to the stage at Sunday's 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, where she was honored in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Full list of winners).

Seizing the moment to hail the star, Smart said: "The answer to the question Samantha Who? is Christina Applegate - I love you. I adore her and she sets the tone for the most amazing, brilliant hilarious cast in the world."

Smart added backstage: "I've never seen an actress who's so beloved by her cast and crew. I feel very protective of her. But she's a very spiritual person and she got through."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)