Outstanding Achievement Award.
That was extraordinary. I want to dedicate it to Lisa because I forgot to mention her when I said thank you to everybody else in the world.
Boy, was she pissed off!
I remember I ran back on stage and said, "Oh, I love you, Lisa. Thank you for everything." But by that time the cameras were off. However, I would like to dedicate that award to Lisa now because she's been a tower of strength for me.
Winner Alan Clarke Award for Outstanding Contribution to Television.
What can I say? Except: Just wow!
Winner Fellowship Award & Judges' Award.
It was a kind of smushed-up thing where I was being awarded for the diversity of work and for having a long career and the judges' award. We were clearly going to the judges' houses! But whatever those awards were for, wow, that was some night – to win two awards on the same evening was beautiful.
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Nottingham Trent University.
This was in recognition of my "significant contribution to British comedy and drama, along with my achievements in international charity work." It was a great honour to get it.
Winner of Outstanding Newcomer Award.
This happened at the age of 50. What are they trying to do? Encourage me?
Winner of Lifetime Achievement Award.
This was lovely. I was very touched by this award and it meant a lot to be honoured for services to comedy.
Winner of Lifetime Achievement Award.
Right on right on with the right on. It's about time!
Winner of the Inspiration Award.
I don't even know what this is. But thank you, anyway. You guys are cool. Do you exist?
Winner of the main award.
This was for Lenny Henry In Pieces. This blew my mind.
Three of a Kind had previously won a Silver Rose and an International Press Prize. So for In Pieces to win the Golden Rose was a major achievement. You can still see the look of shock on my face in all the photographs. This was a big deal and it relaunched my sketch show career.
Winner BBC Personality of the Year.
How bizarre to get an award for your personality! Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking it. But it is kind of weird, right? How do they judge that?
I don't remember a bikini line-up or having to do a speciality act or bake a cake or anything. I just remember getting BBC Personality of the Year.
Which is bizarre. But thank you, anyway. That's lovely.
Winner for Alive and Kicking.
Well, we were very proud of this. The late Al Hunter Ashton wrote Alive and Kicking, which is a story about a drug dealer who quits, does rehab, and manages to kick the habit and start a football team for junkies. Robbie Coltrane was in it, too. This was very early doors for me, and the whole acting thing was a real risk at the time.
But Robbie and I really enjoyed playing off each other. Al's writing was alive and just jumped off the page. And we got this. So God bless you all, wherever you are.
I don't know why, but I was very proud of that.
1984 VARIETY CLUB AWARDS
Winner for Three of a Kind.
I was so delighted to win this with Tracey and David.
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