The creators of the iconic Paddington spoof starring Queen Elizabeth II brought Bafta TV Award viewers to tears with their touching homage to the late princess.
The monarch commemorated the 70th anniversary of her ascension to the throne last year with her Platinum Jubilee festivities, which included a star-studded performance featuring Diana Ross, George Ezra, and Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder.
The Queen, who started the event with a charming skit opposite the popular Paddington Bear, played in the live-action films by Ben Whishaw, surprised the audience.
The Queen and Paddington drank tea together, and the queen even revealed that she had a snack covertly stowed away in her purse.
The comedy, which aired three months before the Queen’s death at the age of 96, was deemed the ‘greatest thing’ by fans, and it received the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award at the Bafta TV Awards on Sunday, May 14.
The writers of the sketch took the stage to receive the award, with voice actor Ben, 42, leading the acceptance speech.
‘Thank you everybody for… thank you everyone who voted for us. Thank you very much,’ the James Bond actor said.
The performance’s unhappy footman, Simon Farnaby, suddenly grabbed the stage at the podium.
‘Yes, the good old British voting public. You see, sometimes they do get it right!’ he began.
‘Thanks go to the mostly invisible team of wonderful filmmakers who created this lovingly handcrafted moment.
‘I can tell you that Paddington and the Queen had a very joyful Jubilee tea that day, but it was also perhaps a farewell, because of course, the person who most deserves this award is no longer with us to receive it. We can only accept it on her behalf and say, thank you ma’am, for everything.’
Several individuals responded to the acceptance speech clip on Twitter by stating how moved they were by the honour to Queen Elizabeth II.
‘That was very sweet…thank you ma’am for everything. She is missed,’ one person wrote.
TV Bafta Awards 2023 winners
Female performance in a comedy programme – Siobhan McSweeney – Derry Girls
Reality and constructed factual – The Traitors
Short form programme – How To Be A Person
Specialist factual – Russia 1985-1999: Traumazone;
Daytime – The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit
Sports coverage – Uefa Women’s Euro 2022
Male performance in a comedy programme – Lenny Rush – Am I Being Unreasonable?
Entertainment Programme – The Masked Singer
Supporting actress – Anne-Marie Duff – Bad Sisters
Current affairs – Children of the Taliban
News coverage – Channel 4 News: Live In Kyiv
Single drama – I Am Ruth
Mini-series – Mood
International – Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
Features – Joe Lycett vs Beckham: Got Tour Back At Xmas
Drama series – Bad Sisters
Factual series – Libby, Are You Home Yet?
Single documentary – The Real Mo Farah
Comedy entertainment programme – Friday Night Live
Soap and continuing drama – Casualty
Live event – Platinum Jubilee- Party at the Palace
Entertainment performance – Claudia Winkleman – The Traitors
Special awards – David Olusoga
P&O Cruises Memorable moment – Platinum Jubilee – Party at the Palace Paddington meets the Queen
Supporting actor – Adeel Akhtar – Sherwood
Leading actor – Ben Whishaw – This Is Going To Hurt
Leading actress – Kate Winslet – I Am Ruth
Scripted comedy – Derry Girls
Special award – David Olusoga
Fellowship – Meera Syal
‘Best acceptance speech ever, brought a tear to my eye,’ someone else said, as another commented: ‘And, I’m crying again.’
One person said that they were ‘tearing up’ while clapping at their computer screen, while someone else summarised: ‘What an unexpectedly sweet way to end his speech. Everyone looked so emotional when he said thank you ma’am for everything.’
The Bafta TV Awards 2023 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
