Baroness Floella Benjamin to be awarded with the BAFTA Fellowship for her 'tireless support of children and young people' over 50-year TV career
Baroness Floella Benjamin will be presented with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship when the BAFTA Television Awards take place at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 12 May.
Baroness Benjamin will receive the award for her outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television over more than half a century in the media.
The 76-year old peer is a versatile actress, singer, broadcaster, businesswoman and independent producer, while also serving s a regulator for TV and radio watchdog OFCOM.
But she is perhaps best known for her work with children, notably as a presenter on educational shows Play School, Play Away and Jamboree.
Acknowledging the award, she said: 'My heart is full of joy and happiness. 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.
Baroness Floella Benjamin OM, DBE, DL will be presented with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship when the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises take place on Sunday 12 May
She became a household name thanks to her 12-year spell on Play School (pictured), aimed at pre-school children, which featured songs, stories and activities with the different presenters
'It’s been an adventurous journey, with many challenges and adversities, but here I am, receiving the highest accolade BAFTA can bestow.
'I am delighted that my work, which has predominantly been for children, is being recognised and celebrated in this way.'
Sara Putt, Chair of BAFTA, added: 'We are honoured to present Baroness Benjamin the BAFTA Fellowship for her tireless support of children and young people, her impact on television broadcasting, and for her unwavering championing of diversity.
She is an unstoppable force for good with a determination to create opportunities and positive role models for future generations that has seen her effect a tremendous amount of positive change over fifty years and counting.
'She is a deservedly a national treasure and we can’t wait to celebrate the impact of her work to-date on 12 May at the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises.'
Lady Benjamin was born in Trinidad before emigrating to the UK as a 10-year-old, and acting in several stage musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar and Black Mikado.
She then had a 12-year spell on Play School, aimed at pre-school children, which featured songs, stories and activities with the different presenters.
Also with a stint on the sister programme Play Away, she became one of the most recognisable children’s TV presenters in the country.
Baroness Benjamin will receive the award for her outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television over more than half a century in the media
The 76-year old peer is a versatile actress, singer, broadcaster, businesswoman and independent producer, while also serving s a regulator for OFCOM (pictured in 1983)
Baroness Benjamin with her Dame Commander medal, after being awarded her damehood by the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2020
Lady Benjamin has supported and campaigned for charities including Barnardo’s, Sickle Cell Society and Beating Bowel Cancer.
In 2010, she was introduced to the House of Lords and given the full title of Baroness Benjamin, of Beckenham in the County of Kent after being nominated by the Liberal Democrats.
She collected her damehood for her services to charity at Buckingham Palace in 2020.
Lady Benjamin has also chaired the Windrush Commemoration Committee and has advocated for tax relief of children’s TV in the House of Lords.
Her 1995 memoir Coming To England was adapted into an award-winning TV movie.
The BAFTA Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual.
Sara Putt (pictured), chairwoman of BAFTA has credited Baroness Benjamin's 'tireless support of children and young people'