Ashley Banjo says he's proud and overwhelmed after Diversity took home a BAFTA TV award for their much talked about Britain's Got Talent performance from last year.
The group, who triumphed over Susan Boyle to win BGT in 2009, returned to their old stomping ground in the autumn as a guest act and provoked a huge reaction from viewers with their 2020 themed performance.
The routine addressed the struggles the world has faced due to coronavirus before moving onto the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, with Ashley re-enacting the heartbreaking image that is still ingrained in the minds of many as George lay helpless on the floor, before the whole group, also including Dancing on Ice 2030 finalist Perri Kiely, took the knee on stage.
While BGT hosts Ant and Dec and plenty of viewers at home were massively moved by Diversity's performance, it ended up racking up a record breaking 27,000 complaints to Ofcom, eclipsing the previous record holder - Roxanne Pallet's allegations against Ryan Thomas on Celebrity Big Brother.
But the huge support for Diversity and their routine shone through on Sunday when it beat off competition from the likes of Bridgerton and Gogglebox to win Must See Moment at Sunday night's BAFTAs.
Ashley reacted to the win by sharing picture of him and brother Jordan on Instagram, which he captioned: "WE DID IT!!!! Proud and overwhelmed would be an understatement.
"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!"
Among the many people who rushed to congratulate Ashley was BGT judge Alesha Dixon who wrote: "Congratulations! Very well deserved! So so proud of you boys! And very proud of @bgt too"
Fellow judge Amanda Holden reacted: "Amazing amazing amazing," while shocked Diversity member Perri commented: "Are you actually joking me?"
