The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Channel 4 enjoys Bafta wins amid uncertainty
Channel 4 has enjoyed success at the Bafta TV Awards despite uncertainty over its future – winning five awards.
The event hosted by comedian Richard Ayoade, which featured its first full audience in two years, also saw the BBC claim nine awards and ITV take home seven.
A number of winners used their speeches to hail the value of Channel 4 and criticise government plans to privatise the broadcaster.
Jodie Comer claimed the leading actress award for her role in Channel 4’s Help and thanked the broadcaster for “believing in the script”.
Gogglebox won its second TV Bafta for best constructed factual show and the chief executive of production company Studio Lambert, Stephen
Lambert, used his speech to voice opposition to the government’s plans.
He said: “Gogglebox might have ended when it started nine years ago as it got modest ratings, but a publicly-owned risk-taking Channel 4 believed in it.
“If the government goes ahead with its destructive plan to end Channel 4, these kind of risks will not be taken and a big part of what makes British TV great will have ended.”
Mo Gilligan won best comedy entertainment for his The Lateish Show on Channel 4 and said the prize “means so much” because Channel 4 took him on when he was struggling with his mental health.
He said: “It would not have been possible without Channel 4, I know everyone has said it but it is so important.”
Jamie Demetriou won a TV Bafta for best male in a comedy for his role in Channel 4’s Stath Lets Flats.
However, despite leading the nominations with a total of seven, Channel 4’s It’s A Sin ended the ceremony empty-handed.
The BBC came out top of the public service broadcasters with nine prizes.
Sean Bean won best leading actor prize for his role in gritty prison drama Time. Producer Simon Maloney read a letter on the actor’s behalf which said he was “overwhelmed” to receive the award.
Time also won best mini series and, collecting the prize, co-actor Stephen Graham said: “It was an absolute joy to be a part of. This is why I wanted to be an actor as a kid... It was a powerful production.”
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice won the must-see moment for their silent dance on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Their routine – during which they paused the music and danced in silence as a tribute to the deaf community – won praise from the public.
Ayling-Ellis described the pause as a “very special moment”.
Among ITV’s successes were Ant & Dec’s Saturday
Night Takeaway, which claimed the first award of the event, for best entertainment programme.
The news coverage award went to ITV News At Ten for its work on the storming of the US Capitol.
Bafta chairman Krishnendu Majumdar opened the event with a speech addressing diversity and the changing media landscape, before paying tribute to TV journalists working in Ukraine and Sir Billy Connolly, who received a Bafta fellowship.
Ayoade quickly aimed a jibe at Will Smith over his slap at the Oscars, quipping: “Bafta is celebrating 75 years at the heart of our industry.
“In 1955, there were only six categories, barely enough time to get up from your seat and slap someone before the whole ceremony would be over.”