A Ledbury actor has won a BAFTA award alongside other members of a community interest company that champions the role of disabled people in the arts.

Melissa Johns and other members of Triple C were honoured at the BAFTA TV Craft Awards last night (Sunday, April 24).

The ceremony, which was presented by Mel Giedroyc and featured guest presenters including Aisling Bea and Olivia Colman, celebrates the best behind-the-scenes TV talent of the previous year.

Triple C was presented with the TV Craft Special Award by writer Jack Thorne. The gateway organisation helps deaf, disabled and neurodiverse creatives access the arts and media.

BAFTA said it was being recognised for its “extraordinary work and dedication in improving access and accessibility, as well as connecting organisations, raising awareness around disability issues, and influencing decision makers within the television industry”.

In an acceptance speech Melissa, who grew up in Ledbury and performed in a number of LADS shows at the Market Theatre, said: “This is where it gets really exciting.

“This room is filled with some of the most influential creative people in our industry. This room alone could make a change like no other.

“What would next year’s BAFTAs look like if every single person in this room tonight made a pledge, a pledge to put us on the agenda, to put us on every single agenda and for the first time in our industry’s history, put disability centre stage?”

Triple C co-founder and Coronation Street star Cherylee Houston called on the television industry to “elevate the voices of disabled creatives, develop careers and show the world the amazing talent that exists.” 

She added: “We as a community have a wealth of exciting untold stories to bring to the screen. We need to see more deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people in-front of and behind the camera.”

Melissa Johns has starred in a host of TV dramas including Grantchester, Life and Coronation Street.

She has also been starring in a West End adaptation of Henry V alongside Kit Harrington - and a recording will be shown at the Market Theatre on May 4.