Nicola at the 2012 TV BAFTAs

The 2012 TV BAFTAs were handed out in a star studded ceremony held at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday, 27 May 2012. The very last series of Spooks was nominated in the Best Drama category but it did not win. For a full list of nominees and winners, check out the BAFTA website.

Nicola attended this ceremony with her co-star in Spooks, Peter Firth (who apparently brought along his oft talked about but never before seen girlfriend), as well as the writers of Spooks Series 10 and executives from Kudos. She wore a long black or dark blue skirt teamed with a short jacket of the same color. In her hand was a red clutch, the same colour as her shoes.

Nicola had no shortage of friends at this event. Others in attendance included :

Her former co-stars in Spooks :

  • Jenny Agutter (who was a presenter)
  • Raza Jeffrey
  • Robert Glenister (who was a presenter)
  • Rupert Penry-Jones (who was a presenter)
  • Lara Pulver
  • Miranda Raison (who was a presenter)

Her friends :

There was no coverage from the mainstream press about Nicola’s walk down the red carpet. As for the two hour programme itself, there were just a couple of very fleeting reaction shots of Nicola after they showed clips from Spooks at the beginning of the programme and when announcing the Drama category. Here are the only screencaps we could find from the actual programme (courtesy of Lisa (@flip18)).

Thank goodness for some very staunch fans of Spooks who met Nicola on the red carpet and took some photos which they have agreed for us to share with you. A big THANK YOU from all of us here on the Editorial Team. 😀

Fans on duty at the red carpet prepared a couple of signs, one of which said “Spooks” and the other said “Ruth Evershed Lives”. When Nicola saw the “Ruth” sign, she immediately walked over and signed it “4 eva xx”. A photo of that sign is included in the Gallery.

Fans who took these photos own the copyright in these photos, so please respect their rights if you want to use them in any way other than ogling them in private!

(more pics will be added the gallery as and when we receive them from the relevant fans)

Update : 28 May 2012

Alison Graham from the Radio Times tweeted today about how much both she and Nicola still misses “Ruth Evershed”. Alison also said that even though she tried, she couldn’t get Nicola to agree to join Twitter!.

This article, which came up in our Google Alerts, tells us that M.A.C. Cosmetics was the make-up partner for last night’s awards ceremony. The article seems to imply that Nicola was amongst the attendees who took advantage of the services provided by M.A.C. Cosmetics for this event. @Born_Spook told us that Nicola looked radiant on the red carpet. Perhaps we have M.A.C. Cosmetics to thank for that?!

Report from the trenches

Here is a report by a fan who was on the scene yesterday afternoon. This will explain some of the poses struck by Nicola in the photos gallery.

by Emily (@ManderleyDream)

A position near the barriers; check. Spooks signs sellotaped and in place; check. Sun-tan lotion; whoops.

After a lot of waiting around (which is never too tiring when you’re amongst friends) the guests started to arrive and filtered in. After a while, guests from Spooks started to make their way up the steps (including Lara Pulver, Rupert Penry Jones and Raza Jaffrey) and our signs (so wonderfully made by Kate) attracted their attention as well as other guests who took their own time to photo them and nudge their partners and point.

Eventually we caught sight of Peter Firth who was looking over in our direction at the signs. We called out to him and he made a beeline for us, saying “hello girls” and asking us how we were and vice versa. As pleasantries were being exchanged Nicola Walker popped up behind him, smiling and cheerful as ever. Originally we couldn’t see her in the line where Peter was but apparently this was due to a delay at the ticket entry. She then spotted us and pointed at us before making her way over. Peter joked that they felt overdressed for the occasion and that everyone was wearing beachwear.

Nicola and Peter took their time and signed various pictures and were more than happy to have photos with the fans. At one point, Peter signed a picture and came up behind Nicola, placed it in her hands and said “sign that one please, darling”. Nicola was busy signing away while Peter searched around the fans in order to give a pen lid back. As Nicola signed one photo, she commented that it was a really lovely picture (it was the bridge scene from 8.2).

She looked at the signs and said “I love your signs!” before taking a biro and writing on one of the signs. Originally it said “Ruth Evershed lives”, but with Nicola’s addition, it read “Ruth Evershed lives 4eva xx”.

Nicola then saw our wristbands and said “My wristbands, I should have worn my wristbands!”. Lucy then told her that we had another wristband for her and Nicola just stood there looking very serious and ordered “Give it to me.” While Lucy fished out the wristband, Nicola and Peter were posing for photos, taken by both fans and other guests (Jane Featherstone took a few). Jane Featherstone then, with a big smile, snapped a few photos of our signs on her iphone before going back to the queue, it was very funny! At this point, Peter wandered off to sign more autographs to our right leaving Nicola to receive her new wristband.

When Lucy gave it to her, she put in on her wrist straight away and then took her time to read it. It said “Something wonderful that was never said” and her jaw dropped for a second before she quickly shouted “Peter!” and crooked her finger, beckoning him over. He returned quickly and Nicola made them both pose for more photographs, putting her hand (with wristband) on his chest and saying “right there, over the heart”.

Peter then vanished again and Nicola had more photos with us, commenting that it was the end of an era really and this may be the last chance for Spooks. When asked if she could call Peter back quickly, she looked around and walked towards him but he was heading back for the queue for the red carpet. She then ran back to us and shouted “I have no control over that man!” before smiling and heading back towards the queue. On her way back she did quickly turn around and blow a few quick kisses before catching up with the Spooks group (showing Simon Crawford Collins her wristband in the process).

THANK YOU Emily!!!

Update : 29 May 2012

And now, we have a three minute clip to go with emily’s report. THANK YOU @MrsGilesFarmer.

(With some browsers, the embedded video clip may not show up immediately. Just refresh the page and the clip should display properly.)

This clip shows details in Nicola’s dress which could not be seen in the photos. Her dress looks great. Love the red heels!