Winner's acceptance speech by Nicola Shindler in the Special Award category
NICOLA SHINDLER: Thank you so much, BAFTA, for this honour. I'm totally thrilled. Little bit nervous.
I'm so excited to receive the award that John Motson got last year, which kind of makes up for when I got my rejection letter in the 1970s when I asked to be a football commentator and they said I couldn't because I was a girl.
I have been really lucky to work with so many talented, clever, and, I won't lie, at times annoying writers, without whom I wouldn't be getting this award, and I want to thank them all, even the annoying ones. You have taught me how story works, how characters can inspire an audience, when to use humour, when to use darkness, when to let characters talk and when to keep them quiet. I know it isn't easy to wrestle with the voices in your head, so thank you for letting me share with your madness.
Thanks as well to the actors, the directors, amazing crews and production teams I have worked with over the years. The UK has so much talent and it's a privilege to work with you.
Big thanks to everyone at Red, past and present. You've been amazing. It's so much easier for me to do my job when I am surrounded by so many talented, funny and hardworking people in Manchester. And thank you to Studio Canal for your support in the recent years.
And most of all, thanks to my family, to my mum, dad and sisters, who let me, growing up, watch as much television as I want, including the test card.
Thank you to Matt, the best writer in our house, and congratulations for yet another Premier League win. I couldn't have done it without your support over the years.
And to my beautiful children, Abby, Jess and Sam, seeing how differently you watch television now keeps me on my toes, but I also see that all you really want still is a good story, and that keeps me trying.
And special good luck to Abby, who starts her GCSEs tomorrow. Thanks for understanding why I'm swanning around in fancy London town instead of back home with you.
Thank you, everyone.
