Ashley Banjo ‘overwhelmed’ as he celebrates iconic Bafta win: ‘This is such a special moment’

Ashley Banjo was delighted as he celebrated Diversity’s Bafta TV Award win, after a tough few months.

The dance troupe won Virgin Media’s must-see moment category for their Black Lives Matter-inspired performance on Britain’s Got Talent last year – which racked up more than 30,000 complaints from viewers.

They beat out EastEnders, Gogglebox, Nigella Lawson, The Mandalorian and Bridgerton for the gong at last night’s bash, and Ashley couldn’t get enough of the latest trophy in their cabinet.

Taking to Instagram, the 32-year-old shared a snap with brother Jordan Banjo, as they posed alongside the award in the back of a car.

‘WE DID IT!!!! Proud and overwhelmed would be an understatement,’ he captioned the post. ‘Thank you so much to everyone that supported us and continues to do so. This is such a special moment. 

‘So much hate, so much negativity and still so much that needs to change.

‘But also so much love, so much support and so many important conversations. 

‘Here now after all of it… We’re BAFTA award winners!! #wearediversity #bafta.’

Right on cue, famous faces flooded the post with congratulatory messages.

Diversity co-star Perri Kiely couldn’t get over the news, replying: ‘Are you actually joking me #wearediversity.’

Alesha Dixon posted: ‘Congratulations! Very well deserved! So so proud of you boys! And very proud of @bgt too.’

‘Soooooooooo happy for you all!!!!! What a bloody LOOK! BAFTA winners cmonnnnnnnn,’ Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips said, as Fleur East added: ‘Woooo!!!! Amazing! Congrats.’

Diversity’s award-winning Britain’s Got Talent performance was lauded by many as they reflected upon the events of 2020, including the coronavirus pandemic and the death of George Floyd, which sparked protests around the world.

However, the scenes got more than 30,000 Ofcom complaints, with the performers subjected to horrific racist abuse.

Picking up the award on Sunday evening, Ashley took a moment to thank those who had turned to Ofcom in their droves.

‘Thank you to every single person that voted for us. It means so much,’ he said. ‘Thank you to everyone that stood by us, every phone call, text, comment, DM. You guys made a difference to what was a really dark time, being in the storm of 30,000 complaints. 

‘Just a torrent of racially-charged abuse, threats, all of it. It was a dark time, but that support made a difference.

‘In a way, I have to say thank you to the people that complained.

‘Because you showed the truth. You showed exactly why this performance and this moment was necessary. But for all those people, just take a look – because this, as much as there are so many conversations and so much that needs to change, this is what change looks like.’

Ashley added: ‘Let’s keep having those difficult conversations. Let’s keep standing up for what’s right regardless of the colour of our skin and we will achieve that equality.’

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