Brian Cosgrove: Special Award 2012

Brian Cosgrove, the British animator behind a wealth of children’s classics such as Danger Mouse, has become a BAFTA Special Award winner.

Cosgrove is the co-founder of Manchester-based animation studio Cosgrove Hall Productions. Established in 1975 with partner Mark Hall, the studio quickly became the UK’s leading animation production company. It has created shows enjoyed by millions of people across the world, including The Wind in the Willows, Rainbow, The BFG and Count Duckula.

Presented by his long-standing friend, actor Sir David Jason, the BAFTA Special Award recognises Cosgrove’s outstanding creative contribution to the industry.

Not only has Cosgrove Hall been responsible for making exceptional children’s content, the studio has also championed Manchester creatives. And it has provided opportunities for countless filmmakers. Bernard Sumner (Joy Division), John Squire (The Stone Roses) and (Craig Gill (Inspiral Carpets) all worked for the studio at earlier points in their careers.

Speaking of his award, Brian said: “After 40 years of making children’s programmes, it is an honour and a privilege to be receiving this Special Award from BAFTA.

“On hearing I would receive the award I was thrilled. I’ve been lucky in many ways, particularly that I’ve spent my whole career doing what I would have chosen to do as a hobby. And I was fortunate in finding the right person, Mark Hall, to work alongside.

“Together, we built a company that gave work to a whole generation of artists and film makers. And, hopefully, via the programmes we made, brought pleasure to many generations of viewers.”

British actor Debra Gillett, who worked on the 1992 animated series Truckers and other Cosgrove Hall productions, praised Cosgrove’s exceptional craft.

“I had the pleasure of working with Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall a number of times and it was always a joy,” she says. “The quality of the creative work, the high standard on which they based every detail of every project, was so reassuring for one of the newer people like me.

“No matter how long the day, work was always fun. It felt like a family getting together every time we met to record the next set of episodes. Cossie, as he was affectionately known by some, knew what he wanted down to the last minute detail. And the result was wonderful, original shows which were enjoyed all over the world.

“I am so pleased that his work is being recognised with this well-deserved award.”

A BAFTA Special Award is one of the academy’s highest honours. It recognises an outstanding contribution to film, games or TV. You can see more recipients in our Awards database.

Cosgrove was presented with his special award at the BAFTA Children’s Awards ceremony in London on 25 November 2012.

For more inspiring stories from the world of film, games and TV, explore our BAFTA Award Stories section.