The things they say

Baroness Floella Benjamin, Russell T Davies and Lord Lloyd Webber

■ “I feel as if I’m standing on the summit of life’s mountain, looking down at the wonderful experiences I have had in my career in the television industry for over 50 years. It’s been an adventurous journey, with many challenges and adversities, but here I am, receiving the highest accolade Bafta can bestow”

– Baroness Floella Benjamin after it was announced that she is to

receive the Bafta Fellowship.

■ “I’ve struggled with problems with alcohol in my life and I am keen to push myself and test myself but also draw attention to the fact that anyone can do interesting things if they set their mind to it”

– Former Made In Chelsea star

Spencer Matthews who is embarking on a mission to run 30 marathons in 30 days in the desert.

■ “It is madder than it has been in the past. You still get moments of terror and horror and the chases and the monsters and there’s tears at some points. But the sense of fun has been pushed, I think, this time because I think we need it. In this day and age, come and have fun”

– Doctor Who writer and showrunner Russell T Davies.

■ “I am humbled, grateful and, quite frankly, staggered to have been made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by His Majesty King Charles III. This is the greatest honour of my life”

– Composer Lord Lloyd Webber.

■ “I think this current strategy of early diagnosis saves lives and Deborah would be saying ‘Dad, it makes common sense. Just knock some heads together and see if we get everybody following it and working for it”’

– Alistair James, father of Dame Deborah James who died in 2022

after using her bowel cancer diagnosis to raise awareness and set up the Bowelbabe Fund for

Cancer Research UK.

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