Horrible Histories to get a special Bafta
Comedy has 'transformed what educational TV should be'
Horrible Histories is to be presented with a special Bafta award next month, it has been announced.
The academy says it is in recognition of the CBBC sketch show’s ‘extraordinary cultural and social impact and the joy, enrichment and hilarity it continues to bring to people of all ages’.
Bafta’s chair, Sara Putt, said: ‘Horrible Histories has transformed traditional ideas of what educational television should be. It has captured the hearts and minds of people of all ages across the country for 15 years and counting, and importantly, has made us laugh. … here is so much to be proud of, from their craft and technical achievements, to the series’ extraordinary social and cultural impact.’
Bafta young presenter Jeriah Kibusi visited Henry VIII’s dressing room to deliver the good news to announce the award on social media.
The accolade will be presented to production company Lion Television at an event at Bafta’s London HQ on 29 November 29.
Executive producer Richard Bradley said: ‘Making the Horrible Histories series over fifteen years has been a total joy.
‘Creating TV for young audiences is unbelievably rewarding. Through comedy, hideous historical facts, and some banging tunes we hope we’ve brought joy, laughter and - maybe - inspired new generations of young historians.
‘Thank you, Bafta, for acknowledging the work of the hundreds of creative people who have poured their talents into making Horrible Histories such a success. And thank you to our audiences – young and old. We are thrilled.’
Fellow executive producer Simon Welton added: ‘This is such an honour for us. It is a lovely testament to all of the incredible industry and creativity that everybody who’s worked on the show, both behind and in front of the cameras, has poured into making it from day one to the present today. What Horrible fun!’
Based on the best-selling books written by Terry Deary, the show began in 2009 with a cast that included Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond – who went on to create the BBC One sitcom Ghosts together,
In 2015, it was relaunced with a new cast that included Tom Stourton and Jessica Ransom – who are still on the show – while comics including Emily Lloyd-Saini, Inel Tomlinson, Adam Riches, Ryan Sampson and Paul G Raymond are or have been cast members,
Meanwhile, celebrity guest stars have included Rowan Atkinson, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Rob Delaney, Meera Syal, Rose Ayling-Ellis, The League of Gentleman, Rosie Jones, David Baddiel, Rob Rinder and Fred Sirieix.
Bafta say next month's event will ‘highlight Horrible Histories’ remarkable longevity, innovation and relevance, from addressing important, diverse and underrepresented areas of history, to its legacy as a springboard for British comedic talent and impact on the school curriculum’.
Published: 24 Oct 2024
