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ITV’s ‘This Morning’ presented with BAFTA Special Award

2 October 2018
Event: A Tribute to This Morning Date: Monday 1 October 2018Venue: BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, LondonHost: Alan Carr-Area: Portraits BAFTA/Hannah Taylor

Holly Willoughby said: “To be stood here holding a BAFTA for a show that you are lucky enough to be part of, is quite incredible. This Morning has the best team in TV and has done for 30 years.”

London, 2 October 2018: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) presented ITV’s This Morning with a Special Award and tribute at BAFTA's headquarters, 195 Piccadilly in London, last night, to celebrate 30 years of creativity and innovation in daytime television production.

Hosted by comedian Alan Carr, the tribute featured Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who all shared insights from the programme in front of an audience of cast, crew, peers and the public.

Krishnendu Majumdar , Chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee, introduced the tribute, which included contributions from talent involved with the show over the past 30 years, archive clips, special video interviews and, finally, the presentation of the Special Award.

When asked about why This Morning has stood the test of time, Richard Madeley said: “The programme belongs to the audience and knows what it is.”

Speaking about the early days of the programme, Judy Finnigan said: " We had this strange set up on the Albert Dock, it wasn’t even a proper studio, it was a converted car showroom and we felt like we were pioneering. There was a joyous, wonderful feeling that we could do anything.”

Judy also said: “People you meet in television now, years on, often started as researchers on This Morning. It was a huge training ground.”

Speaking about guests who often share tragic and challenging stories on the programme, Phillip Schofield said: “People come on This Morning, and say, I came here because I trust you, and they tell you the worst possible thing that could happen to someone, and trust us with their story.”

The honour was given to ITV’s long-running British daytime TV programme that turns 30 this year, in recognition of the continuing success of its creative and innovative approach to daytime television production; of its popular appeal among the British TV-viewing public; and for it launching the careers of many of those working in the factual entertainment genre today. It was also given in recognition of the programme’s contribution to the development of the television production hub in the North West when it was produced at its original home at the Granada Studio on Albert Dock, Liverpool.

This Morning is ITV’s live, two-hour show that launched on 3 October 1988 from Albert Dock in Liverpool. It was first hosted by husband and wife team Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan to deliver a mix of topical news, showbiz and lifestyle content. 

Currently presented by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby (Monday-Thursday) and Eamonn Holmes OBE and Ruth Langsford (Friday), the show has grown a loyal following, winning multiple awards and broken boundaries for British television – for instance, performing live medical checks. It continues to deliver ground-breaking campaigns and exclusive interviews into its third decade, making it the longest running daytime programme for the channel and propelling it as a national institution for British television and its audience.  

The programme currently broadcasts from Studio 3 at Television Centre, having moved from The London Studios on Southbank in early 2018. It is edited by Martin Frizell with Emma Gormley as Executive Producer and Managing Director for ITV Studios Daytime.

For further information, please contact:

BAFTA : Jonaid Jilani at [email protected] or 020 7292 5863

ITV: Sarah Hitching at [email protected] or 020 7157 4150 | Mob: 07795 302 079

Photos are available on shutterstock.
https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed/2018/10/01/'this30thgala,london

Archival video footage from This Morning can be found here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RdpIEyOEQk&feature=youtu.be

Photos are also available from ITV are available from

Peter Gray Tel: 0207 157 3046 [email protected]www.itvpictures.com

For accreditation, photography, press releases and transcripts visit: www.bafta.org/media-centre

About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.