‘Don’t cry, you look like a kn*b’ – Sheridan Smith sobs and swears her way through Bafta TV acceptance speech

The award for most surprised winner at last night’s British Academy Television Awards went to Sheridan Smith.

The actress burst into tears when she was named best actress for playing the wife of great train robber Ronnie Biggs in ITV’s Mrs Biggs. She struggled to compose herself during her acceptance speech, at first asking “Is this a wind up?”

Her disbelief continued through her sobs, with the actress muttering to herself “Don’t cry, you look like a knob” before swearing on live television and attempting to hide behind her gold statuette –managing to accidentally hit herself in the nose with it in the process.

Having beaten bookmaker’s favourite Sienna Miller, who was nominated for playing actress Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock drama The Girl, Anne Reid for Last Tango in Halifax and Rebecca Hall for Parade’s End, Smith appeared genuinely bewildered to have won.

The second prize for most surprised award-winner went to a nervous-looking Ben Wishaw who took the best actor Bafta for his portrayal of Richard II.

"I'm really, really surprised. I was just hoping it would be one of the others just so I wouldn't have to come up here and say anything," he said.

The biggest winner of the evening was Olivia Colman who won two awards: best actress in a comedy programme for Twenty Twelve and best supporting actress for Accused.

Video: Sheridan Smith's acceptance speech at the Bafta Television Awards