Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney paid tribute to the "spirit of compromise and resilience" of the people of Derry as she lashed out at politicians in a humorous speech at the BAFTAs on Sunday.
The actress, who plays Sister Michael in the award-winning comedy, was joined in praise for the people of the city by show creator Lisa McGee in an emotional speech at the awards ceremony in London.
Derry Girls won the Bafta TV award for best scripted comedy, while Siobhan McSweeney won the award for best female performance in a comedy programme.
Read more: Bafta glory for Derry Girls as it wins best scripted comedy
In a breathless acceptance speech, delivered in double time to warm applause, she thanked the people of Derry for "taking me into your hearts and your living rooms."
She continued: "I am daily impressed with how you encompass the spirit of compromise and resilience despite the indignities, ignorance and stupidity of your so-called leaders in Dublin, Stormont and Westminster. In the words of my beloved Sister Michael, it's 'time they started to wise up'."
And in her acceptance speech, writer Lisa McGee said: "I'd like to thank our first home, Derry, with its unbreakable spirit and hilarious characters. What a muse you've been."
She continued: "When we started making Derry Girls we'd tell people we were making a comedy about teenagers navigating the Troubles and the standard response was 'that's not funny'.
"It didn't have runaway hit written all over it but what we found is that in the specific there is always the universal, always the ordinary in the extraordinary, and if you really look hard enough there's always light in the dark.
What an amazing end to our Derry Girls journey. It's been a privelege making this show. Thank you for watching."
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