Joanna Lumley to Receive BAFTA Fellowship

Actress Joanna Lumley will be honored with the Fellowship at the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on May 14.

Awarded annually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games across their career. Previous recipients include Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, along with Jon Snow, Bruce Forsyth, Melvyn Bragg, Michael Palin, Trevor MacDonald, David Attenborough and Julie Walters. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson received the Fellowship at last year’s Television Awards.

Lumley’s career spans some 40 years in the business. Among her many acting credits, she portrayed Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous. Last year saw Lumley reprise her role as Patsy for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

Jane Lush, Chair of BAFTA, said: “From high-kicking her way into our hearts as Purdey in The New Avengers to showcasing her enviable comedic credentials with her portrayal of Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, Joanna Lumley is a true icon of television, and so I am truly delighted that BAFTA will be honoring her with the Fellowship this year, the highest honor that the Academy bestows.”

Lumley commented: “Nothing could make me prouder or happier than being awarded this phenomenal honor. To be counted amongst the greatest talents and stars of our industry is an awesome gift: the BAFTA Fellowship is the grandest and most unexpected prize I have ever had the joy of receiving.”