BAFTA to honour Steven Moffat with 'Special Award'

Steven Moffat will be presented with the Television 'Special Award' at this year's BAFTAs, it has been announced.

Moffat is being awarded for his outstanding creative writing contribution to television.

He is currently the head writer and executive producer on Doctor Who, and has masterminded the hit BBC One series Sherlock with Mark Gatiss.

Moffat's other TV work includes Press Gang, Stay Lucky, Joking Apart, Murder Most Horrid, Chalk, Jekyll and Coupling.

Tim Corrie, Chairman of BAFTA, said: “Steven has had an outstanding year with Doctor Who and Sherlock, not to mention the feature film The Adventures of Tintin, and we are delighted to honour his contribution to television and the arts at the BAFTA ceremony on 27 May. He is one of the finest exponents of his craft and his Award, presented in honour of the late, great Dennis Potter, is very well deserved indeed.”

On being recognised, Steven Moffat said: “Blimey! A Special Award! I didn't even know I was ill! So thrilled by this – especially after two years of Sherlock and Doctor Who, my two favourite shows ever. Of course the work, and the people I get to work with, has always been all the reward I need – a fact I'm very glad that BAFTA has disregarded.”

Russell T Davies, Moffat's predecessor on Doctor Who, was the recipient of the Special Award in 2005.

The Arqiva British Academy Television Awards will take place in London on Sunday 27th May 2012. Live coverage will be broadcast on BBC One from 8.00pm.