Horrible Histories to receive special BAFTA award
- CBBC sketch show Horrible Histories is to receive a special BAFTA award at an event on 29th November
- The event will highlight the comedy's "extraordinary cultural and social impact"
- BAFTA says: "Horrible Histories has transformed traditional ideas of what educational television should be"
Horrible Histories is to receive a special BAFTA award in December for its "extraordinary cultural and social impact" and its "legacy as a springboard for British comedic talent and impact on the school curriculum".
Based on the best-selling books by Terry Deary, the CBBC sketch show has been one of the UK's most popular children's programmes since it made its debut in 2009. So far, over 130 episodes have been broadcast across 10 series, with another batch currently in production.
BAFTA's board of trustees hands out a select number of special awards annually as part of its mission to showcase excellence in films, games, and television.
BAFTA chair Sara Putt says: "Horrible Histories has transformed traditional ideas of what educational television should be. It has captured the hearts and minds of people of all ages across the country for 15 years and counting, and importantly, has made us laugh."
Production company Lion Television will receive the honour as part of a special presentation on 29th November.
"The event will highlight Horrible Histories' remarkable longevity, innovation and relevance, from addressing important, diverse and underrepresented areas of history, to its legacy as a springboard for British comedic talent and impact on the school curriculum," BAFTA says.
Richard Bradley, executive producer and co-founder of Lion Television, says: "Making the Horrible Histories series over 15 years has been a total joy. Creating TV for young audiences is unbelievably rewarding. Through comedy, hideous historical facts, and some banging tunes we hope we've brought joy, laughter and - maybe - inspired new generations of young historians."
Executive producer Simon Welton adds: "This is such an honour for us. It is a lovely testament to all of the incredible industry and creativity that everybody who's worked on the show, both behind and in front of the cameras, has poured into making it from day one to the present today. What Horrible fun?!"
It was revealed in September that CBBC and Lion Television will now also be launching a sketch show called Horrible Science, based on the books written by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles.