John Thaw's last award a 'fitting tribute'

Shelia Hancock has fought back tears as she collected the Lew Grade Audience Award on behalf of her late husband John Thaw.

The Bafta award for Buried Treasure was voted for by the public.

She took to the stage with the film's young star Dominique Jackson at the London ceremony.

The actress said John would have been "absolutely overwhelmed and moved beyond belief."

She said: "Thank you very much Ladies and Gentlemen, I've been asked to thank you all on behalf of John and I'm happy - no I'm not happy - I'm proud to do that. I want to congratulate the production team on making a really daring and beautiful film."

She went on to say: "It's very fitting that the last award that John will ever get - and he got a lot - should be won that's voted for by the audience.

"John would be hugely, hugely proud. He likes it when the critics gave him a good review. But if they didn't he always used to say 'its only the audience that matter.'"

Hancock had been presented with the prize by Kevin Whateley, who co-starred with Thaw in the series Inspector Morse.

Shelia missed out on the best actress award for her role in Russian Bride to Julie Walters performance in My Beautiful Son.