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The Chairman's Speech - BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2014

29 April 2014

BAFTA's Chairman John Willis addresses the nominees & guests of the British Academy Television Craft Awards in 2014. Watch his speech and read his thoughts on the ceremony & the recipients of this year's Special Award, Strictly Come Dancing.

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The Chairman's Message

This evening is a celebration of the very best behind-the-scenes talent in British television. Judging by the quality of the nominations alone, it has been another outstanding year for television craft.

Chief among the honours is the Special Award, which will be conferred not to any one individual but a whole team of talented practitioners. We salute the outstanding behind-the-scenes crew of one of the nation’s most popular entertainment shows: Strictly Come Dancing.

Particularly in the television industry, teamwork is a prerequisite for success. It does not come about through happy coincidence or without strong leadership. Strictly embraces the team ethic entirely; with a surfeit of brilliant individuals, it is a team that delivers quality, and consistently – 10 years on our screens and counting, Strictly has stood the test of time.

Many individuals are recognised for their outstanding work this evening too, whose crafts can take a lifetime to master. It is their dedication to creativity, innovation and excellence that shines through every one of their nominations. Congratulations and good luck to you.

I’m delighted that our magnificent host Stephen Mangan has returned to guide us through the ceremony. My thanks to all our partners, supporters and category sponsors of the event – CARAT*, The Farm Group, HotCam, G-Technology, The London Studios, M•A•C Cosmetics and Sara Putt Associates – who are behind BAFTA’s success as a charity. And thank you also to BAFTA’s Television Committee, scrupulously chaired by Andrew Newman, and all our juries; and to Kelly Smith, Siobhan Pridgeon, Clare Brown and everyone at BAFTA whose dedication remains unsurpassed.