Bafta honour for John Thaw

John Thaw first played Inspector Morse in 1987

Inspector Morse star John Thaw is to be given a Bafta fellowship, the screen body's highest honour.

The distinguished TV actor will receive the award on Sunday night at the British Academy Television Awards (Baftas).

It is an honour to be included in such a select band of actors, directors, and other industry luminaries

John Thaw

Thaw, 59, has previously won two Bafta TV awards - both for his role as the Oxford-based detective Morse, who was killed off last year.

The actor, one of the best-loved figures on British television, came to fame as detective Jack Regan in 1970s police drama The Sweeney, playing Inspector Morse for the first time in 1987.

He has since appeared in Stanley and the Women and in the less-well received A Year in Provence.

'A privilege'

In 1995 he began appearing as Kavanagh QC and recently recorded a radio play as Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

"It is an honour to be included in such a select band of actors, directors, and other industry luminaries, from Alfred Hitchcock to Woody Allen, from Sir John Gielgud to Morecambe and Wise," said Thaw.

"They tell me I am the 53rd member - it is a privilege to be among them.

"It would be impossible for me to accept this award without paying tribute to all of the directors, writers, cast and crew members with whom I have worked during my career.

"A heartfelt thank you to them all - and there have been a lot of them - and thank you to the members of Bafta.

"I am very flattered," he said.

Select gathering

Thaw will be presented with his award by previous Bafta winner Sir Tom Courtenay at the ceremony, hosted by Angus Deayton at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

The fellowship, which is given for outstanding contributions to British television, is the organisation's most prestigious award.

Battling it out for TV Baftas on Sunday will be Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and The Weakest Link for the title of best entertainment show, Graham Norton and Angus Deayton for best entertainment performance and Coronation Street and EastEnders for best soap.

The British Academy Television Awards, BBC1 Sunday 2000 BST.