Angela Rippon at Sky Women in Film and TV Awards
Sheridan Smith and Angela Rippon were both honoured at the Sky Women in Film & TV Awards held at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel in London today (06.12.13).
The 32-year-old actress won the MAC Best Performance Award for her portrayal of Ronnie Bigg's wife Charmian Biggs in TV drama 'Mrs Biggs'.
Angela, 69, was presented with the EON Productions Lifetime Achievement Award by BBC Director General Tony Hall in recognition of her 50-year career which has seen her work as a newsreader, journalist, TV correspondent and a presenter on shows such as 'Top Gear', 'Antiques Roadshow' and 'Cash in the Attic'.
Lenny Henry was on hand to accept Sheridan's award on her behalf and admitted he was honoured to be invited to the event.
Referring to his ex-wife, comedian Dawn French, Lenny said: "I'm very proud to be her, I was married to a woman in film and TV for 25 years and I know lots of women in TV it's only right to support our sisters in this. It's good to be here, it's a celebration."
The 55-year-old comedian also insisted other minorities could learn a lot from the Women in Film & TV (WFTV) organisation in terms of the work the group has done to promote females in the creative media industries.
When asked if there should be a need for a film and TV awards ceremony specifically for women in 2013, he told BANG Showbiz: "Sure, why not? I'm here to learn as well because I think the Women in Film and TV lobby is incredibly strong and powerful and I think blacks, Asians, ethnics and minorities need to learn from the power that the women have managed to marshall up since the advent of feminism. We need to learn from that and how to politicise our movement and move forward in what we're doing in the industry."
Ruby Wax hosted the event at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel in London and cheekily admitted her opening speech contained criticisms aimed at an unnamed male BBC executive.
The outspoken comedian-and-presenter said: "I'm so happy that I'm going to do the opening speech. It's like revenge for 20 years, it's so exciting. It's revenge against one male executive in particular who works at the BBC."
Other winners included television academic Mary Beard - who was presented NEP Visions Presenter Award by new 'Doctor Who' actor Peter Capaldi - and 'Call the Midwife' executive producer Pippa Harris who was handed The ENVY Producer Award prize by Julie Walters.
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