Timothy Spall shared his gratitude after receiving his first ever BAFTA award on Sunday night after previously joking he was 'always a bridesmaid never a bride'.
The actor, 67, humbly admitted that he had 'always wanted one of these' as he collected the Best Actor award during the TV BAFTA Awards on Sunday night.
Timothy's fans were equally shocked by the revelation that it was a first time win for the acting veteran, who has had a career spanning decades.
The Sixth Commandment star, who won for his portrayal of murdered Peter Farquhar, joked acting was a 'silly' business but he was delighted by the award.
Receiving his award at the Royal Festival Hall with a beaming smile on his face, he told the audience: 'Acting's a stupid thing, it really is.
Timothy Spall shared his gratitude after receiving his first ever BAFTA award on Sunday night after previously joking he was 'always a bridesmaid never a bride'
The actor, 67, humbly admitted that he had 'always wanted one of these' as he collected the Best Actor award during the TV BAFTA Awards on Sunday night
'It's a soppy old thing really. Standing up, pretending to be somebody, p****ing around in costumes. 67 and you think, is this me - am I still doing this?
Leading Actress - Sarah Lancashire - Happy Valley
Leading Actor - Timothy Spall - The Sixth Commandment
Drama Series - Top Boy
Supporting Actress - Jasmine Jobson Top Boy
Supporting Actor - Matthew Macfadyen - Succession
Entertainment Show - Strictly Come Dancing
Advertisement'But, the reality is, sometimes you get the chance to play people that have had a terrible thing happen to them and all they wanted was love and it's a beautiful thing to be able to tell a story about something like that.
'This story is about many things, it's about a terrible crime but it is also about love. We're privileged, especially when telling real stories about real lives, that people give you permission to do this.
'We're just storytellers really, when we can tell stories that are really touching and really affect people and it makes a difference and we can all share in this human condition, some of it horrible, some of it beautiful and some of it both.
Sweetly admitting that he was overjoyed by the award, Peter, who received the gong from Lashana Lynch, said: 'Even though acting is a silly, stupid thing, and the other actors in this are bloody brilliant and I am in owe of their talent.
'It's lovely, I've always wanted one of these - it's lovely to have one. I'll shut up now because I'm just drivelling on. But I'm just so pleased to be here, among you lot. We have quite a good life really don't we. Thank you very much.'
Timothy received the accolade after playing Peter Farquhar, who suffered a campaign of gaslighting and physical and mental torture at the hands of 32-year-old church warden Benjamin Field before being murdered in 2016.
Timothy previously told how Mr Farquhar was outwardly 'vivacious' but suffered from 'loneliness' and a 'desire for affection'.
Timothy's fans were equally shocked by the revelation that it was a first time win for the acting veteran, who has had a career spanning decades
Sweetly admitting that he was overjoyed by the award, Peter, who received the gong from Lashana Lynch, said: 'Even though acting is a silly, stupid thing, and the other actors in this are bloody brilliant and I am in owe of their talent'
Mr Farquhar, who had struggled with his sexuality, had taught English at the private Manchester Grammar School before moving to the prestigious Stowe in 1983.
He was head of English there for 21 years, before deciding to retire in 2004 so he could write novels.
Timothy said: 'I watched him and I always imagined that there was this social life, happy social life and his private life but also a drone, I explained it sort of like a drone on a sitar.
'It is constantly going, which are his social life, but the drone underneath it is always his loneliness and his desire for affection.'
Having read the teacher's diaries, he added that he also had to use his imagination to try to 'inhabit' his persona.
'What you can't glean from information you use your imagination and try and connect your own humanity with somebody else's,' he said.
'It is what you try to do really when you try to inhabit somebody rather than impersonate them.'
Following his big win, fans of Timothy, who appeared in the drama alongside Anne Reid, shared their amazement that he was his first BAFTA win on X
Following his big win, fans of Timothy, who appeared in the drama alongside Anne Reid, shared their amazement that he was his first BAFTA win on X.
Posting their thoughts, they said: 'Absolutely flabbergasted that Timothy Spall hasn't won a BAFTA before'; 'So pleased that one of our finest actors - Timothy Spall OBE - has won his first BAFTA'; How's that Timothy Spall's first BAFTA?';
'With the greatest respect to everyone else, at the age of 67 and over 45 years into a stellar career, how the f*** was that Timothy Spall's first BAFTA?'; Wait, this is Timothy Spall's first BAFTA? Should have won for this one back in 1996. One of his all-time best roles for sure';
Many others praised his performance on the social media platform as they commented on how deserving he was of the recognition.
The comments read: 'I'm so happy Timothy Spall has won leading actor. His performance in The Sixth Commandment was astonishingly beautiful, nuanced, delicate and intelligently crafted'; 'The Sixth Commandment is one of the best and hardest hitting dramas to be on TV over the last 12 months - really pleased to see it and Timothy Spall get some well deserved recognition tonight';
'Massive congratulations to Timothy Spall for his powerhouse performance in the stunning Sixth Commandment. He played that role with incredible truth and sensitivity';
A former student and friend of Peter, wrote: 'Congratulations to Timothy Spall for Best Actor BAFTA award brilliant portrayal of my friend and former English teacher Peter Farquhar - perfectly capturing both his outward manner and inner psychology and torment. Those who knew Peter what a truly incredible performance it was';
'Timothy Spall and everyone involved in the Sixth Commandment deserve all the kudos coming their way. Sarah Phelps created something truly-heart wrenching and special'.
A huge congratulations to Timothy Spall for being awarded Best Leading Actor at last nights TV BAFTA Awards for The Sixth Commandment. His outstanding performance brought the abuse of older people to light and was a tribute to older victim-survivors everywhere.
Many others praised his performance on the social media platform as they commented on how deserving he was of the recognition
Following a win at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014, Timothy quipped that he was always 'a bridesmaid and never the bride at these awards'.
He said: 'I've always been the bridesmaid at these awards. I've been nominated for BAFTA awards but never won. Now I'm the bride and this is my wedding breakfast'.
Timothy received the Best Actor award for his performance in Mr Turner.
The Mr Turner star previously spoke of the 'massive responsibility' of portraying another person, in large part because, in the case of Mr Farquhar, people 'loved him and knew him'.
'You've got to try and do something that is not just, I suppose, trying to reproduce somebody's idiosyncrasies but touch what makes them like they are and go deeper,' he said.
'You never know whether you are going to achieve it so it is a delight and lovely and satisfying that you've managed to do that.
'You're only using yourself as the petrol to put in somebody else's engine so its great that they feel it fired it up.'
Field is portrayed in the Sixth Commandment by 26-year-old Irish star Éanna Hardwicke, whilst Sheila Hancock, 90, depicts retired secretary Liz Zettl, who was Field's third intended target before he was caught.
The Sixth Commandment was directed by Saul Dibb and produced by Frances du Pille.
Field was a 20-year-old undergraduate student when he first met Mr Farquhar.
On discovering that both he and his neighbour were wealthy, Field decided to seduce them to get his hands on their money.
Pretending to be in love first with Mr Farquhar and then Miss Moore-Martin, he was sexually intimate with both, despite dismissing his male partner as a 'faggot' and having feelings of 'indifference' towards his female victim.
Once he had gained their trust, Field carried out sinister mind games and plied the pair with alcohol and drugs.
Mr Farquhar's health deteriorated to the point where he was at times rambling, incoherent and suffering from hallucinations.
In the mornings he would often find himself covered in bruises and his prized possessions missing, with no memory of what had happened.
'I am finding more joy in life now than ever before in my swift 23 years,' Field wrote as he began his campaign of abuse.
On mirrors in her home, he would scrawl messages in white marker. One read: 'Pray for Ben, Ben loves you'
Anne Moore-Martin, 83, was Field's second victim. She too was seduced by the criminal. She is portrayed in the upcoming drama by Anne Reid, 88
After his arrest, police uncovered a list of potential future victims which included his own parents and grandparents.
He also fantasised in notebooks about a nighttime murder rampage, predicting he could kill up to 50 people in a single spree.
When Mr Farquhar was found dead by his cleaner in October 2015, the first person she called after the emergency services was Field, who everyone believed was his loyal partner.
In March the previous year, the pair had pledged themselves to one another in a London church service.
The day was particularly special for Mr Farquhar, who wrote in his journal: 'It is one of the happiest moments of my life. Gone are the fears of dying alone.'
Describing his initial encounter with Mr Farquhar, who was a guest lecturer at his university, Field boasted of the pair's 'vulgarly commercial' relationship.
'He gives me things, and he gets me for a length of time,' he wrote.
He explained the relationship in even cruder terms to a friend, writing:
'He and I have struck a deal which is I pay for nothing and will hang out with him until his eventual death win/win... I'm p [pretty] comfortable w/death.'
Field and a university friend moved into Mr Farquhar's home as lodgers in 2013.
At the time, he was working in the bakery section at Tesco and as a carer at a nearby nursing home.
There he filmed himself tormenting a resident, telling her she didn't 'have any friends and you have never married'.
Field was cleared of conspiracy to murder Ann-Moore Martin (pictured)
In 2014, the same month as his and Mr Farquhar's church ceremony, Field began a relationship with another woman, Setara Pracha, an admissions tutor at Buckingham Universtiy, where he had been a student.
He went on to become a deputy church warden at St Mary's Church in Stowe and boasted to a friend how he was going to become a vicar.
The abuse he subjected Mr Farquhar to included torturing a pet chihuahua he had given him and making him believe he had dementia.
After his will had been changed in Field's favour, Mr Farquhar was murdered. He was found to have consumed prescription sedatives and alcohol, and police believe he may also have been suffocated with a pillow.
Field initially avoided suspicion and pocketed £20,000 from his victim's will. When Mr Farquhar's house was sold by his brother, Field got a further £142,000.
He then moved on to his second victim, Ms Moore-Martin, who he had been introduced to by Mr Farquhar.
The retired teacher and devout Catholic quickly fell under his spell, giving him a key to her house and telling friends she loved him.
Above her dressing table she even hung a framed photograph of him bearing the words: 'I am always with you'.
In 2016, she gave him £4,000 to buy a car. Having no intention of actually purchasing a vehicle with the money, Field hired a car for a day to dupe her.
He then conned the woman out of £27,000 telling her ne needed the money to help his brother, who he claimed was desperately ill.
On mirrors in her home, he would scrawl messages in white marker. One read: 'Ben makes you whole, Give the whole to him.'
Another stated: 'All that you give him will be returned tenfold.'
Convinced by his act, Ms Moore-Martin changed her will in Field's favour at the end of 2016.
In February 2017 she suffered a seizure and ended up in hospital.
It remains unclear what caused the decline, but she did tell friends days earlier that Field had given her 'some powder' which helped her sleep.
Field was however cleared of attempting to kill her.
Once his victim was in hospital, Field was unable to get access to her and the pensioner's niece, Anne-Marie Blake, became suspicious.
As police began an investigation, Ms Blake changed her aunt's will to write Field out.
Retired secretary Liz Zettl, who was Field's third intended target before he was caught, is portrayed by Sheila Hancock, 90. Above left: Ms Zettl arriving to give evidence at Field's trial in 2019
In March 2017, Field was arrested for the first time, but two months later, Ms Moore-Martin died for a massive stroke.
Her niece said in evidence to the jury at Field's trial: 'She was tortured by it and found it very difficult to get her head around the betrayal.
'She said to me, "I am such an intelligent woman. How could I let this happen to myself?"
At his trial, former Stowe School secretary, Ms Zettl, then 101, became the oldest witness in a British murder case.
Field's co-accused, Martyn Smith, who was cleared of involvement in the deaths of both Mr Farquhar and Ms Moore-Martin, had lived as a lodger with Ms Zettl.
In January 2022, Field began a second bid to have his conviction overturned. The Court of Appeal dismissed a previous challenge in 2021.
Leading actress
Anjana Vasan, Demon 79 (Black Mirror) - Netflix
Anne Reid, The Sixth Commandment - BBC One
Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us - Sky Atlantic
Helena Bonham Carter, Nolly - ITVX
Sarah Lancashire, Happy Valley - BBC One - WINNER
Sharon Horgan, Best Interests - BBC One
Leading actor
Brian Cox, Succession - Sky Atlantic
Dominic West, The Crown - Netflix
Kane Robinson, Top Boy - Netflix
Paapa Essiedu, The Lazarus Project - Sky Max
Steve Coogan, The Reckoning - BBC One
Timothy Spall, The Sixth Commandment - BBC One - WINNER
Bella Ramsey has been nominated in Leading Actress for The Last of Us
Supporting actress
Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown - Netflix
Harriet Walter, Succession - Sky Atlantic
Jasmine Jobson, Top Boy - Netflix - WINNER
Lesley Manville, The Crown - Netflix
Nico Parker, The Last of Us - Sky Atlantic
Siobhan Finneran, Happy Valley - BBC One
Supporting actor
Amit Shah, Happy Valley - BBC One
Éanna Hardwicke, The Sixth Commandment - BBC One
Harris Dickinson, A Murder at the End of the World - Disney+
Jack Lowden, Slow Horses - Apple TV+
Matthew Macfadyen, Succession - Sky Atlantic - WINNER
Salim Daw, The Crown - Netflix
Female performance in a comedy
Bridget Christie, The Change - Channel 4
Gbemisola Ikumelo, Black Ops - BBC One - WINNER
Máiréad Tyers, Extraordinary - Disney+
Roisin Gallagher, The Lovers - Sky Atlantic
Sofia Oxenham, Extraordinary - Disney+
Taj Atwal, Hullraisers - Channel 4
David Tennant is up for male performance in a comedy fpr Good Omens
Male performance in a comedy
Adjani Salmon, Dreaming Whilst Black - BBC Three
David Tennant, Good Omens - Prime Video
Hammed Animashaun, Black Ops - BBC One
Jamie Demetriou, A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou - Netflix
Joseph Gilgun, Brassic - Sky Max
Mawaan Rizwan, Juice - BBC Three - WINNER
Drama series
The Gold - BBC One
Happy Valley - BBC One
Slow Horses - Apple TV+
Top Boy - Netflix - WINNER
Limited drama
Best Interests - BBC One
Demon 79 (Black Mirror) - Netflix
The Long Shadow - ITV1
The Sixth Commandment - BBC One - WINNER
Scripted comedy
Big Boys - Channel 4
Dreaming Whilst Black - BBC Three
Extraordinary - Disney+
Such Brave Girls - BBC Three - WINNER
Netflix's Demon 79 (Black Mirror) is up for Limited drama
Soap
Casualty - BBC One - WINNER
EastEnders - BBC One
Emmerdale - ITV1
Entertainment programme
Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas - Apple TV+
Later… With Jools Holland - BBC Two
Michael McIntyre's Big Show - BBC One
Strictly Come Dancing - BBC One - WINNER
Entertainment performance
Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! - ITV1
Big Zuu, Big Zuu's Big Eats - Dave
Graham Norton, The Graham Norton Show - BBC One
Hannah Waddingham, Eurovision Song Contest 2023 - BBC One
Joe Lycett, Late Night Lycett - Channel 4 - WINNER
Rob Beckett & Romesh Ranganathan, Rob & Romesh Vs - Sky Max
Comedy entertainment programme
The Graham Norton Show - BBC One
Late Night Lycett - Channel 4
Rob & Romesh Vs - Sky Max - WINNER
Would I Lie To You? - BBC One
Factual entertainment
Celebrity Race Across The World - BBC One - WINNER
The Dog House - Channel 4
Endurance: Race To The Pole - Channel 5
Portrait Artist of the Year - Sky Arts
Reality
Banged Up - Channel 4
Married At First Sight UK - E4
My Mum, Your Dad - ITV1
Squid Game: The Challenge - Netflix - WINNER
Squid Game: The Challenge is nominated in the Reality category
Daytime
Loose Women and Men - ITV1
Lorraine - ITV1
Make It At Market - BBC One
Scam Interceptors - BBC One - WINNER
International
The Bear - Disney+
Beef - Netflix
Class Act - Netflix - WINNER
The Last of Us - Sky Atlantic
Love & Death - ITVX
Succession - Sky Atlantic
Live event coverage
The Coronation Concert - BBC One
Eurovision Song Contest 2023 - BBC One - WINNER
Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance - BBC One
The Bear is nominated in the International category
Current affairs
Inside Russia: Traitors And Heroes (Storyville) - BBC Four
Putin Vs The West - BBC Two
Russell Brand: In Plain Sight (Dispatches) - Channel 4
The Shamima Begum Story (This World) - BBC Two - WINNER
Single documentary
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived - Sky Documentaries
Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family - ITV1 - WINNER
Hatton - Sky Crime
Vjeran Tomic: The Spider-Man of Paris - Netflix
Factual series
Dublin Narcos - Sky Documentaries
Evacuation - Channel 4
Lockerbie - Sky Documentaries - WINNER
Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland - BBC Two
Specialist factual
Chimp Empire - Netflix
The Enfield Poltergeist - Apple TV+
Forced Out - Sky Documentaries
White Nanny, Black Child - Channel 5 - WINNER
Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family is up for Single documentary
News coverage
Inside Gaza: Israel And Hamas At War - Channel 4 News - WINNER
Inside Myanmar - The Hidden War - Sky News
Israel-Hamas War - Sky News
Sports coverage
Cheltenham Festival Day One - ITV1 - WINNER
MOTD Live: Fifa Women's World Cup 2023 - BBC One
Wimbledon 2023 Men's Final - BBC One
Memorable moment
Beckham, David teases Victoria about her 'working class' upbringing - Netflix
Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa revealed as the 15th Doctor - BBC One
Happy Valley, Catherine Cawood and Tommy Lee Royce's final kitchen showdown - BBC One - WINNER
The Last of Us, Bill and Frank's Story - Sky Atlantic
The Piano, 13-year-old Lucy stuns commuters with jaw dropping piano performance - Channel 4
Succession, Logan Roy's death - Sky Atlantic
Up for Memorable moment is: Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa revealed as the 15th Doctor
Short form
Mobility - BBC Three - WINNER
The Skewer: Three Twisted Years - BBC iPlayer
Stealing Ukraine's Children: Inside Russia's Camps - Vice News
Where It Ends - BBC Three
Writer: Comedy
Jack Rooke, Big Boys - Channel 4 - WINNER
Jamie Demetriou, A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou - Netflix
Kat Sadler, Such Brave Girls - BBC Three
Mawaan Rizwan, Juice - BBC Three
Writer: Drama
Charlie Brooker & Bisha K Ali, Demon 79 (Black Mirror) - Netflix - WINNER
Jesse Armstrong, Succession - Sky Atlantic
Sally Wainwright, Happy Valley - BBC One
Sarah Phelps, The Sixth Commandment - BBC One
The full list of Bafta TV Craft WINNERS is available on their website