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Dame Jacqueline Wilson to be honoured by BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is to honour Dame Jacqueline Wilson with the Special Award at this year's British Academy Children’s Awards, held later this month.
The Special Award celebrates excellence and recognises Wilson’s outstanding contribution to British children’s television and media through the adaptation of her work.
With a writing career spanning over 45 years, Wilson has authored many books which have become BAFTA-winning and nominated screen adaptations, including The Story of Tracy Beaker, The Dumping Ground, Hetty Feather, Girls in Love, Double Act, Dustbin Baby and The Illustrated Mum.
Helen Blakeman, chair of the BAFTA Children’s Committee, said: “Jacqueline Wilson’s impact on children’s media has touched and inspired both audience and industry alike, with popular characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather providing the inspiration behind much-celebrated, long running series and single event pieces. Behind-the-scenes, Jacqueline has played an integral role in this process, allowing broadcasters and creators both the freedom and support necessary to adapt her stories into award-winning and often ground-breaking television.
"With this year marking the 15th anniversary of the Tracy Beaker-inspired drama series, there is no better time than now to award Jacqueline as 2017’s Special Award recipient.”
Wilson said: “I’m so pleased and proud to be given this very special award. I’m very much looking forward to the event and being able to celebrate with all the talented people who have made this possible.”
Wilson has sold millions of books worldwide and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 40 million, according to BAFTA. She was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames.
In 2002 Wilson was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008, she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
The British Academy Children’s Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 26th November at The Roundhouse, London.
