TV BAFTA Awards: Ruth Jones teases new project with Gavin and Stacey co-star James Corden

Ruth Jones was ecstatic as she won a TV Bafta for her role as straight-talking Nessa in Gavin & Stacey: The Finale last night. The show, which has been watched by more than 20million viewers, had been snubbed in the main comedy category award and also lost out in the Memorable Moment category. 

But taking to the stage to collect her gong, Ruth went into character as she said: “I’m not gonna lie, this is immense. I didn’t expect to win this. I’ve won a Bafta before, of course I have, in 1976.”

Thanking all the cast and crew, plus the , she fought back tears as she added: “The person I’d like to thank the most is my dear, talented, lovely, kind friend James Corden with whom I’ve shared this astonishing journey for the last 17 years. And without whom, Vanessa Shannessa Jenkins wouldn’t exist. I love you James.”

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Danny Dyer was similarly overcome as he was named best comedy male for his role in Sky’s Mr Bigstuff. Choking up he dedicated the gong to writer Ryan Sampson, saying: “You won this for me mate.”

Addressing his daughters Dani and Sunnie from the stage - and breaking the no swearing rule - the former EastEnder told them: “Girls, I done it. I f***ing done it.”

While there was joy for BBC drama Mr Loverman, which took two awards for main actors Lennie James and Ariyon Bakare, and also ’s , which won the limited drama category and also received a special award, many others came away empty handed.

Apple+’s Slow Horses failed to land a gong despite a trio of nominations along with Disney +’s Rivals, which also had three.

It was the same story for ’s , with no wins for the show in two categories and presenter Claudia Winkleman being beaten in the entertainment performance category by .

drama , nominated in four categories, found success thanks to taking the award for best supporting actress for her role as stalking Martha. Thanking her co-star , who wrote the hard-hitting autobiographical drama, she used one of his nicknames as she said: “Richard, you’ve changed my life with Baby Reindeer, happy birthday little Nipple.”

In the reality category, the winner was ’s The Jury: Murder Trial, which re-enacted a real-life trial, with producer Ed Kellie saying: “This proves that reality TV can actually be about something.”

Collecting the gong for limited drama, Mr Bates producer Patrick Spences said: "We'd like to put on record that being trusted by the sub-postmasters to tell their story has been the greatest privilege of our lives.”

And accepting the honour for commissioning the show in the first place, ITV managing director Kevin Lygo said it was a travesty that many of the 555 who lost their livelihoods and suffered for many years were still waiting for full justice. “They still have not got their compensation so I say to whoever is in charge of that, will you hurry up and pay these people what they are due.”

Lennie James was choked as he took the leading actor Bafta, thanking his co-star Ariyon Bakare, who won the best supporting actor, for being his “TV lover”.

The memorable moment award, the only gong to be voted for by the public, went to ’s emotional performance by Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland to You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The win means that the BBC ballroom show won a Bafta in its 20th anniversary year as it beat stiff competition from Gavin & Stacey, Traitors and Mr Bates, along with Rivals and Bridgerton. Collecting the award solo - because stand-up Chris was on stage - Dianne said Chris had sent a message for her to read out. In it, he quipped: “After 22 years in comedy, I win a Bafta for dancing. Di, I’ll take it, but please let them all know, it hurts.”

It was also a good anniversary night for , with boss Chris Clenshaw saying he was delighted for the soap to take the gong just as the show celebrates its 40th anniversary, laughing: “It’s back to the Queen Vic for a knees up!”

Best drama went to BBC1’s police series Blue Lights, set in Northern Ireland. Collecting the award, the producer said: “Thank you to the people of our home city for letting us tell your stories. Belfast, this one’s for you.”

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