As per the announcement a month ago, Russell T Davies has now collected his Outstanding Achievement Award from the Edinburgh Television Festival.
As reported by Doctor Who News, he gave a speech that covered just a breath of what he’d done:
“I have worked with Daleks, Casanova, I’ve worked with gays, I’ve worked with Penelope Wilton, I worked on children’s programmes, I’ve worked in documentary, I worked on a quiz show with Terry Wogan, I worked with Jesus, I worked in Cardiff, Manchester, at Granada, I’ve worked with all sorts of shows, I’ve worked with David Tennant, Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman, I’m so lucky.
I’ve been a presenter on Playschool, I’ve actually been to Norway with Keith Chegwin, I love my job and I hope you all grow up and get in the industry and love the job too.”, he said. He saved some ire for the government too, criticising their “contempt” for the BBC.
Here’s the announcement of Davies getting the award, from July 25th
It’s been announced that the man responsible for the revival of Doctor Who back in 2005 – Mr Russell T Davies – is to be this year’s recipient of the Edinburgh Television Festival’s 2017 Outstanding Achievement Award.
The presentation will be made to Davies on Friday 25th August 2017, and he’ll be getting his brand new gong from Nicola Shindler. Shindler – of Red Productions – oversaw Davies’ breakthrough television drama, Queer As Folk.
Last year’s winner of the award was Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright, someone whose work that Davies has constantly championed.
In the words of Diedrick Santer, the advisory chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival, “I am delighted that Russell is returning to the TV Festival to receive our Outstanding Achievement Award”.
“He’s the man behind some of the nation’s favourite dramas, and his career continues to be incredibly successful and remarkably varied. I am very excited to hear what will no doubt be an insightful and funny look back over 30 years of great work. And with his long-term collaborator Nicola Shindler of Red asking the questions, we can be sure there’ll be no holds barred”.
Congratulations, Mr Davies!