‘Tracy Beaker’ creator Dame Jacqueline Wilson received the Special Award at the British Academy Children’s Awards in London on Sunday night (26.11.17) for her outstanding contribution to kids’ entertainment.
The 71-year-old writer was presented with her prize at the ceremony held at The Roundhouse in London by former ‘Coronation Street’ actress Michelle Collins – who portrayed the titular mother Marigold Westward in the TV adaptation of Wilson’s novel ‘The Illustrated Mum’.
Wilson’s ‘The Story of Tracy Beaker’ book and its three sequels has been adapted into four CBBC television series: ‘The Story of Tracy Beaker’, ‘Tracy Beaker Returns’, ‘The Dumping Ground’ and ‘The Tracy Beaker Survival Files’, with Dani Harmer portraying the titular character who lives at a care home known as ‘The Dumping Ground’.
Wilson is still actively writing but she admits that the modern world and social media is making children’s lives more complicated than ever.
She said: "Girls worry even more now about how they look and there’s an expectation that there wasn’t 20 years ago. Look cool with shiny hair and be bright and chirpy and popular with girls – and boys!
"It’s a bit of a challenge to be a young person now. I still get lots of letters and emails and people have the same issues – but children feel more worried than they used to."
Other winners on the night included ‘Bear Grylls’ Survival School’ which was named the top show in the Entertainment category, ‘Hey Duggee’ which was recognised as the best Pre-School Animation and Maddie Moate who was victorious in the Presenter category, winning her first BAFTA for her work on CBeebies show ‘Do You Know?’.
Online education channel TrueTube was the biggest success of the night taking home four awards, including the prestigious Channel Of The Year prize, which is the first time the accolade that has gone to an internet-only channel.
The Children’s BAFTAs was hosted by actor-and-rapper Doc Brown – who starred in ‘David Brent: Life on the Road’ – and presenters on the night included Peter Andre, Hugh Dennis, Rochelle Humes, Pixie Lott, Matt Baker, Angellica Bell and Jordan Banjo.
Tracy Beaker creator Jacqueline Wilson honoured for career at Children’s BAFTAs
