HIGHEST BAFTA HONOUR FOR HORRIBLE HISTORIES

At a BAFTA event held in honour of the series Horrible Histories was presented with its highest honour, a special BAFTA Award by Children’s TV legend Baroness Floella Benjamin and BAFTA Young Presenter Jeriah Kibusi. 

The series was honoured in recognition of its extraordinary cultural and educational impact over 15 years. Lion CCO Richard Bradley accepted the award on behalf of the whole creative team on and off screen who has made the series, saying it is ‘the honour of a lifetime for all of us who have been involved’.  Sara Putt, Chair of BAFTA, opened the event praising the impact of the series. Floella Benjamin called Horrible Histories an ‘oasis’ in the challenging world for children’s television.

Authors of the books Terry Deary and Martin Brown were there, along with Anne Gilchrist who commissioned the series and CBBC’s Sara Muller and longtime Comm Ed Melissa Hardinge. Panels hosted by current HH star Inel Tomlinson, included the original and current production team Caroline Norris, Miranda Jones, Greg Jenner, Ben Ward, Richard Bradley and Simon Welton and stars of the show Simon Farnaby, Mat Baynton and Jim Howick, alongside current cast Jess Ransom and Emily  Lloyd-Saini.  Richie Webb who as written all the music for the series over 15 years gave a mini-masterclass in how he channelled Chas and Dave to create the classic ‘Monarchs Song’.

The award ceremony was part of a weekend of events, a Young BAFTA Showcase, aimed at inspiring young people to explore their creativity.  Members of the Horrible Histories art, costume and make-up departments held workshops to share some of the tricks of the trade.

‘©BAFTA/Lia Toby’