Jane McDonald almost missed picking up her British Academy Television Award.
The 55-year-old singer and television presenter never expected to pick up the huge honour for her series ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’ at this year’s ceremony and wasn’t even going to go to the event at first.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, she said: "Not at all, it wasn’t prepared. Actually Mark Powell [executive producer on ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’] wrote a speech for me and said, ‘Just look, put this in your pocket. Just incase.’ And I went pfft. I nearly didn’t go because I was filming ‘Jane and Friends’ the day after. I had three hours sleep that night. I just heard ‘cruising’ and then I saw the people at the side of me just jump out of their seats. I was just thrilled to be there and see everyone that I admired on the screen. I’m really glad I had a new frock."
Meanwhile, Jane previously expressed her joy at being nominated for the Features award.
Explaining how she found out about the nomination, she said: "It was my birthday, of all things. I was on a ship with the Cruising team and the news came through as we sat down to dinner. My first reaction was, ‘You’re joking!’ It was a big shock. It’s not every day you get nominated for a BAFTA. It’s the best birthday I’ve ever had.
"Gosh yes! We partied as if we’d won it, because to us, we already had by being nominated. It’s the best feeling in the world. BAFTA is the biggie. There’s an awful lot of work that goes into Channel 5’s Cruising. I’m just the person at the front who has a good time. I’m thoroughly excited for everyone involved in it."
Jane McDonald nearly missed BAFTA ceremony
