People feel as if I'm one of their family members. It's such a great feeling of love'

Children's television icon Baroness Floella Benjamin on being awarded a BAFTA Fellowship, triumphing over racism, and empowering the younger generation to embrace diversity

- JEN PHARO

When Baroness Floella Benjamin collected her BAFTA Fellowship, she felt loved and lauded, not just by the audience of her peers, but by a generation of “Play School babies” who grew up in the sunshine of her smile. The iconic presenter, 74, beamed with happiness as she accepted her well-earned accolade at the glittering event held at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

“It’s wonderful that I’m being acknowledged in this way,” Lady Benjamin exclusively told OK! days before accepting her award. “But the best thing that’s happening is that everyone, the whole of the country, is pouring so much love into me, and this award means so much to them. I represent their childhood and they feel as if I’m one of their family members. It’s such a great feeling of pure love.”

Floella came to the UK from Trinidad in 1960, when she was aged 10, as part of the Windrush generation. She later became one of our best loved TV stars, first appearing on Play School from 1976 to 1988, before later joining Playdays. As well as her career as a TV presenter, Floella is an actress, singer, author and legislator, sitting in the House of Lords. Throughout it all, she has campaigned for what she calls “diversity nirvana”, and has spent her life creating a legacy of inclusion for people of all races and abilities.

In the face of racism and discrimination, Floella has always kept her composure and forged ahead with grace, love and, above all, her famous smile.

“I have faced many adversities but I’ve always broken down those barriers with a smile, with confidence, and by showing people what was missing,” says Floella.