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The TV industry is “in turmoil” and needs “creative solutions to survive” from the UK government, children’s TV presenter Floella Benjamin said as she accepted her Bafta scholarship on Sunday.
Lady Benjamin, best known as the host of children’s programs such as Play School, was praised in a video by Prince William at the Bafta television Awards for being an “unwavering champion of inclusion” and for her ability to “remind us of the power of empathy.”
The veteran TV star said that whenever she spoke out throughout her career, she was told to “shut up or you’ll never work again” but she has made it her mission for half a century to “have diversity and inclusion in their DNA “.
During a glitzy evening on the banks of the Thames, during which gripping crime drama Top Boy won best drama series, Benjamin used his speech to call for more help for the TV industry and “high-quality, regulated content” for children.
“Our industry is in turmoil, facing new technology, layoffs and unemployment,” she said. “So government must provide creative solutions for survival as we navigate this rapidly changing landscape.”
In a night that closed a chapter of prestige television – with finals last year ranging from The crown, Inheritance to Happy Valleyas well as Top boyBafta chairman Sarah Putt echoed the sentiment.
Putt said the UK was a nation of “natural storytellers” who had created a “brilliant mixed economy” of television, but admitted it had been a “really difficult year for so many people in our industry. For freelancers, indies, public radio stations and broadcasters’.
Top boy who made it to a “powerful and powerful conclusion” late last year it won two awards, with Jasmine Jobson accepting the Bafta for Best Supporting Actress in praise of her niece. “My baby girl, Aunt Jasmine did it, I did it!” she said.
Royal drama The Crown was left empty-handed after leading the field with eight nominations, while Happy Valley collected two awards. The Heir took home one award: Best Actor for Matthew Macfadyen for his role as Tom Wambsgans in the HBO drama.
After winning the Bafta for Best Actress, Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire thanked writer Sally Wainwright and the BBC “for giving this very British drama a very British home”.
The show also won in the category of Most Memorable TV Moment – the only audience-voted award – for the series’ final kitchen showdown.
Accepting his Bafta award for leading actor for his role in The Sixth Commandment, Timothy Spall fondly called acting “a grim old thing, standing up pretending to be someone and pissing around in a suit”, but said it was a “beautiful thing” to tell a story of people who experienced horror.
“When it matters and we can all share the human condition […] even though acting is a stupid stupid thing, it’s wonderful.”
In glorious sunshine, British TV stars made the obligatory red carpet walk at the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday afternoon as crowds on London’s South Bank jostled for a glimpse.
Among the tuxedos and ball gowns were some more unusual outfits, including a strong performance by comedian Joe Lissett, who dressed as Queen Elizabeth I, complete with white cape and full Elizabethan ruffle, thanks to a lost bet. Collecting the entertainment Bafta for his Channel 4 show Late Night Lycett, he said: “Thanks to my mum and dad, Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.”
Opening the annual ceremony, hosts Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett joked that stars accepting their awards should keep their speeches short and sweet. “If you find yourself at a loss for words, fine. Keep it up,” quipped Beckett.
The couple got emotional when they received the comedy entertainment award for their show Rob and Romesh Vs. But Ranganathan soon returned to entertainment, saying: “Can I just say what a great award these are…it’s a recognition of true talent and genius.”
Winning the award for best entertainment program with Strictly Come Dancing, presenter Tess Daly thanked Bafta for “making Spanx worth it on the hottest day of the year” and thanked everyone involved in the show, which is celebrating its 20th year year. “It was the most wonderful series,” she said.
Daytime TV presenter Lorraine Kelly beamed as she accepted the special award from Inheritance star Brian Cox to a standing ovation. Holding it aloft, she joked: “I’m on TV tomorrow but tonight I’m celebrating.”
Picking up the award for best female performance in a comedy for her role in Black Ops, Gbemisola Ikumelo left others in tears with a wild acceptance speech, joking that her agent would tell her next employers: “Yesterday’s price is not today’s.”
Mawaan Rizwan, who won the Bafta for best male performance in a comedy, thanked his therapist, noting that it had not been the best week to discuss his dependence on external forms of validation.
Winners
Lead actress
Sarah Lancashire, Happy Valley (BBC One)
Lead actor
Timothy Spall, The Sixth Commandment (BBC One)
Drama series
Top Boy (Netflix)
International
Class Act (Netflix)
Limited drama
The Sixth Commandment (BBC One)
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Supporting actor
Matthew Macfadyen, Inheritance (Sky Atlantic)
Supporting actress
Jasmine Jobson, Top Boy (Netflix)
Female performance in a comedy program
Gbemisola Ikumelo, Black Ops (BBC One)
Male performance in a comedy program
Mawaan Rizwan, Juice (BBC Three)
Scripted comedy
Such Brave Girls (BBC Three)
Comedy entertainment program
Rob and Romesh vs… (Sky Max)
Entertainment program
Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One)
An entertaining performance
Joe Lycett, Late Night Lycett (Channel 4)
A single documentary
Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family (ITV1)
Factual entertainment
Celebrity Race Across the World (BBC One)
Actual series
Lockerbie (sky documentaries)
Reality
Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix)
Fact specialist
White Nanny Black Child (Channel 5)
Live event
Eurovision Song Contest (BBC One)
Short film
Mobility (BBC Three)
sport
Cheltenham Festival Day One (ITV1)
News coverage
Channel 4 News: Inside Gaza, Israel and Hamas at war (Channel 4)
Current Affairs
The Shamima Begum Story (BBC Two)
during the day
Scam Catchers (BBC One)
soap
Victim (BBC One)
P&O Cruises A moment to remember
Happy Valley: The Final Kitchen Showdown Between Catherine Cawood and Tommy Lee Royce (BBC One)
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