Joanna Lumley OBE will be honoured with the Fellowship at the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London, on Sunday 14 May.
The Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games across their career. Fellows previously honoured for their work in television include Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, along with Jon Snow, Bruce Forsyth, Melvyn Bragg, Michael Palin, Trevor MacDonald, David Attenborough and Julie Walters. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson received the Fellowship at last year’s Television Awards.
Jane Lush, Chair of BAFTA, said: “From high-kicking her way into our hearts as Purdey inThe New Avengers to showcasing her enviable comedic credentials with her portrayal of Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, Joanna Lumley is a true icon of television, and so I am truly delighted that BAFTA will be honouring her with Fellowship this year, the highest honour that the Academy bestows.”
The Absolutely Fabulous star said: “Nothing could make me prouder or happier than being awarded this phenomenal honour. To be counted amongst the greatest talents and stars of our industry is an awesome gift: the BAFTA Fellowship is the grandest and most unexpected prize I have ever had the joy of receiving.”
With a career spanning 40 years, Joanna Lumley has become one of the most acclaimed and distinctive performers in British television. Already a successful model, her breakthrough role came as Purdey in The New Avengers in 1976. The title role in Sapphire and Steel followed, running for six series on ITV.
Almost two decades and many roles later, Lumley made a seamless transition into a BAFTA-winning comedic actress as Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous (see picture). Firmly cemented as one of the UK’s most respected performers, Lumley has also fronted several travel documentaries.
Previous BAFTA recognition of Lumley’s work includes six BAFTA nominations, and awards for Comedy Performance (1995) and Light Entertainment Performance (1993) for Absolutely Fabulous. In 2000, she received the Special Award for The Avengers.
The Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards will be hosted by Sue Perkins at the Royal Festival Hall, London, and broadcast on BBC One at 8pm on Sunday 14 May.
Joanna Lumley's Postcards, Russia, 8.30pm, ITV1.
