Julie Walters to Receive BAFTA Fellowship

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that acclaimed actress Julie Walters CBE will receive the Fellowship at this year's Arqiva British Academy Television Awards ceremony at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London on Sunday 18 May.

Awarded annually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by the Academy in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games.

Fellowships previously awarded for groundbreaking work in television include Lord Bragg, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Richard Curtis, Sir David Jason, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Sir David Frost. Michael Palin received the Fellowship at last year's Television Awards.

Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: "Julie Walters is one the most talented individuals to grace our screens. She has the innate ability to draw the viewer in across any genre, captivating and entertaining with every performance. Julie is thoroughly deserving of the Fellowship, the highest honour the Academy can bestow."

Julie Walters started her career as a collaborator with comedienne Victoria Wood, who hosted their own series, Wood and Walters, as well as the BAFTA-winning sketch series, Victoria Wood As Seen On TV. Since then, Walters has gone on to become an internationally recognised television and film icon. Her ability to adapt her craft across myriad roles is proven by performances in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Dinnerladies, The Jury, A Short Stay in Switzerland and Mo, for which she won the Leading Actress BAFTA in 2010 for the titular role.

Walters has worked in the industry for over 30 years and continues to impress audiences and critics alike with a range of outstanding performances across disciplines - television, film and stage - and genres, from serious drama to comedy. Over the course of her career she has earned her many awards including six BAFTAs, a BAFTA Special Award, a Golden Globe, an Olivier and two International Emmys.

On hearing she was to receive the Fellowship, Julie Walters said: "I am honoured to receive this prestigious award and extremely shocked. I've worked with some brilliant people over the years and have been very fortunate to have had the opportunities to work on such a variety of projects."

The Arqiva British Academy Television Awards will be hosted by Graham Norton at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London and broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 18 May.

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