2013 Special Award: Clare Balding

Clare Balding, TV sports and entertainment presenter and journalist, has become a BAFTA Special Award winner.

Balding is a trusted and admired TV personality and has presented some of the most prestigious events in the world. This includes five Olympic Games and four Paralympic Games, as well as Crufts and Channel 4’s horse racing. Her warm-hearted and compelling coverage of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games made her a household name across the UK.

Balding received the award on Tuesday 7 May at a very special lunch hosted by Villa Maria at the luxurious Corinthia Hotel at Whitehall Place in London. Some of Clare’s closest friends and colleagues were there to celebrate with her including Ade Adepitan, Alice Arnold, Mark Foster, Alison Moyet, Tracey Thorn and Jennifer Saunders.

Balding, who made her TV debut in 1995, was presented with a BAFTA Special Award in recognition of her outstanding on-screen contribution to factual TV.

Andrew Newman, chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee, said: “Clare’s body of work over the last 13 years speaks for itself. But it was through her expert coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games that Clare became a national treasure, who with her warmth and charisma helped bring the country together as we celebrated in Team GB and Paralympic GB’s success.

“She is a trusted and intelligent live presenter with an ability to transcend genre, and we’re delighted to honour her contribution to television.”

On hearing news of her award, Balding said: “I am in complete shock, I can’t believe I’ve been given such an extraordinary honour and I am totally delighted. I may not stop smiling until the night.”

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

Balding was presented her Special Award at the BAFTA Television Awards ceremony in London on 12 May 2013.

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