Two of television's most recognisable figures, Dame Mary Berry and Martin Lewis, were among the biggest winners at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards, delivering emotional and memorable speeches as they were honoured for their outstanding contributions to British broadcasting.
Veteran broadcaster Dame Mary, 91, was awarded the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship for her outstanding contribution to television, while consumer champion Lewis received a Special Award recognising his impact on the nation's financial wellbeing.
Dame Mary Berry's Fellowship Speech
Accepting her accolade at London's Royal Festival Hall, Dame Mary paid tribute to the BBC, describing it as 'the broadcaster we must cherish' and reflecting on a career spanning more than five decades. The beloved cook, who rose to global fame on The Great British Bake Off, said she was 'bowled over' by the honour, adding: 'I'm a cook, I'm a teacher, so to receive BAFTA's highest award is very special.' She paid tribute to the BBC as her 'home of many years' and recalled her early days in television, including her first programme in 1971. 'I loved every single moment and put my heart and soul into it,' she said, adding that television had become 'the biggest classroom there is' for sharing her passion.
Dame Mary also reflected on the unexpected turns in her career, joking about the chilly conditions in the Bake Off tent and revealing she would tuck a hot water bottle under her jacket while filming. She also reflected on the personal journey behind her success, thanking her family, including her late son William, in a touching moment that drew applause from the audience.
Despite her long career, she signalled no plans to slow down, telling the audience: 'I've been doing this for over 50 years and I'm still learning.' She added that she has recently launched her own YouTube channel, hinting at more projects to come.
Martin Lewis's Emotional Special Award
MoneySavingExpert.com founder Lewis delivered an emotional speech as he accepted his Special Award, opening up about a difficult childhood and the journey that led him to become one of the nation's most trusted voices on money. The 54-year-old broadcaster, best known for The Martin Lewis Money Show, described himself as once being a 'broken, scared boy' who 'barely left the house' following the death of his mother shortly before his 12th birthday. 'Now I'm picking up a BAFTA,' he said. 'If you had told that boy this would happen, his jaw would have dropped.'
Lewis used his speech to highlight the importance of consumer journalism, which he said has helped millions navigate financial challenges, from pandemic support to rising energy costs. He also urged policymakers to take further action on issues, including student loan repayments. 'People will embrace something real, something that helps,' he said. 'That power to hold power to account with trust and impartiality is needed more than ever.' The broadcaster thanked viewers for their continued support, noting that his audience 'don't just watch, but act', as well as his wife Lara Lewington and their daughter.
Evening of Celebration
The evening celebrated two very different but equally influential figures in British television - one who has inspired generations through food and teaching, and another who has reshaped how audiences engage with money and consumer rights. Both honourees used their moment on stage not just to reflect on their careers, but to underline the enduring power of television to inform, educate and connect audiences across the UK.
All the BAFTA TV Awards Winners
- Leading actress – Narges Rashidi, Prisoner 951
- Leading actor – Stephen Graham, Adolescence
- Limited drama – Adolescence
- Supporting actress – Christine Tremarco, Adolescence
- Supporting actor – Owen Cooper, Adolescence
- P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award – Alan Carr winning The Celebrity Traitors
- Actor in a comedy – Steve Coogan, How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge)
- Actress in a comedy – Katherine Parkinson, Here We Go
- Reality – The Celebrity Traitors
- Drama series – Code Of Silence
- Entertainment – Last One Laughing
- Entertainment performance – Bob Mortimer, Last One Laughing
- Scripted comedy – Amandaland
- Children's: non-scripted – World. War. Me. (Sky Kids Investigates)
- Children's: scripted – Crongton
- Current affairs – Gaza: Doctors Under Attack
- Daytime – Scam Interceptors
- Factual entertainment – Go Back To Where You Came From
- Factual series – See No Evil
- International – The Studio
- Live event coverage – VE Day 80: A Celebration To Remember
- News coverage – Channel 4 News: Israel-Iran: The Twelve-Day War
- Short form – Hustle And Run
- Single documentary – Grenfell: Uncovered
- Soap – EastEnders
- Specialist factual – Simon Schama: The Road To Auschwitz
- Sports coverage – Uefa Women's Euro 2025
- Bafta Special Award – Martin Lewis
- Fellowship – Dame Mary Berry
