‘Wolf Hall’ director Peter Kosminsky was the surprise talking point of the TV BAFTAs on Sunday night (8 May) thanks to his impassioned speech in favour of the BBC.
The historical TV series was the first winner of the night, succeeding over ‘Humans’, ‘No Offence’ and The ‘Last Panthers’ in the Drama Series category.
David M. Benett via Getty Images
However, it was Peter’s speech at the awards show that really caused a stir in the audience, as he addressed culture secretary John Whittingdale’s comment that dissolving the BBC was a “tempting process”.
Peter said: “I think most people would agree that the BBC's main job is to speak truth to power, to report to the British public without fear or favour. It's a public broadcaster independent of government, not a state broadcaster. All of this is under threat right now.”
He continued: “This is really scary stuff folks and do you know what? It's not their BBC, it's your BBC. In many ways our broadcasting - the BBC and also Channel 4, which they're also trying to eviscerate - is the envy of the world and we should stand up and fight for it, not let it go by default, and if we don't, blink and it'll be gone.”
BBC
His comments were echoed throughout the evening by fellow awards-winners, including Ian Hislop of ‘Have I Got News For You’, Mark Rylance and Suranne Jones, as well as presenter Tom Hiddleston.
Watch Peter's full speech in the video below...
Check out the full list of winners from this year’s TV BAFTA-winners here.
Tap the image below to launch the slideshow...
TV BAFTAs 2016 Red Carpet
(01 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Mark Wright (L) and Michelle Keegan attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(02 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Stephen Graham (L) and Hannah Walters attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(03 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Michelle Gomez attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(04 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Jack Davenport (L) and Michelle Gomez attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(05 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Helen George attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(06 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: (L to R) Will Tudor, Colin Morgan, Katherine Parkinson, Tom Goodman Hill, Emily Berrington, Gemma Chan, Ruth Bradley and Ivanno Jeremiah attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(07 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: James Nesbitt attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(08 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Heida Reed attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(09 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Josh Hartnett arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(10 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick arrive for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(11 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Alesha Dixon attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(12 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Katherine Parkinson (L) and Emily Berrington attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(13 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Sam Faiers attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(14 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Maisie Williams attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(15 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Katherine Jenkins arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(16 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Laura Whitmore arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(17 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lisa Guru-Murthy attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(18 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Tom Hiddleston attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(19 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Fearne Cotton attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(20 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Claudia Winkleman attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(21 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Poppy Jamie attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(22 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Birdy attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(23 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Rob Brydon attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(24 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Neha Kapur and Kunal Nayyar attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(25 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Eleanor Worthington-Cox arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(26 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Emily Berrington arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(27 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Michaela Coel attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(28 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Fearne Cotton attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(29 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Elaine Cassidy attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(30 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Fearne Cotton arriving in a Audi at the top of the red carpet for the BAFTA TV Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/David M. Benett/Getty Images for Audi) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(31 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Suranne Jones attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(32 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Helen George arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(33 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Rochelle Humes attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(34 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Michelle Keegan attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(35 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Michelle Collins arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(36 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Lucy Watson attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(37 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Anne Morrison attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(38 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Poppy Jamie attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(39 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Fred Sirieix attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(40 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Olivia Grant arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(41 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Elaine Cassidy arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(42 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Caroline Flack arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(43 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Ferne McCann attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(44 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: James Dunmore attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(45 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Will Mellor arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(46 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Kate Ford arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(47 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Lucy Watson (L) and James Dunmore attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(48 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Nina Sosanya attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(49 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Maisie Williams attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(50 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Alexandra Roach attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(51 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Binky Felstead attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(52 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Georgia May Foote arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(53 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Anna Kendrick arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(54 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Grayson Perry and Phillipa Perry attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(55 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Amanda Holden arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(56 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Cush Jumbo attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(57 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Birdy arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(58 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Lesley Manville arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(59 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Rose Leslie attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(60 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Angela Scanlon attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(61 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Katherine Jenkins attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(62 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Kara Tointon attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(63 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Doina Ciobanu attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(64 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Sheridan Smith arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(65 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Sir Lenny Henry attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(66 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Samia Ghadie arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(67 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Nadiya Hussain (L) and Mary Berry attend the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(68 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Gemma Chan arrives for the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(69 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Olivia Grant attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
(70 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Tess Daly attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(71 of71)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Romesh Ranganathan attends the House Of Fraser British Academy Television Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall on May 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)