An emotional Ashley Banjo has thanked fans for their support after Diversity won a Bafta for its Black Lives Matter Dance.

The group scooped the Must See Moment gong for the four-minute routine which proved somewhat controversial after it sparked thousands of complaints.

Watchdog Ofcom later rejected the complaints, adding it did warrant an investigation under its regulations.

The performance, which was broadcast during an episode of the 2020 edition of Britain’s Got Talent, saw a man in a police uniform kneel on Banjo - echoing the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd.

Ashley, who grew up in Billericay, was emotional as he collected the award on stage last night during the annual ceremony.

He and his brother, Jordan, covered their faces in their hands as it was announced the dance troupe had won.

After collecting the gong, Ashley said: “This is mad, this is so much more than just an award.

“I want to just say first thank you to every single person who voted for us, it means so much.

“Thank you to everyone who stood by us.

“Every phone call, text, comment, DM, you guys made the difference to what was a really dark time, being in the storm of 30,000 complaints and just a torrent of racially charged abuse, threats, all of it, it was a dark time and that support made all the difference.

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“In a way, I have to say thank you to the people that complained, the people that did all of that abuse because you showed the truth.

“You showed exactly why this performance, this moment, was necessary.

“But for all of those people, just take a look, because as much as there are so many conversations and so much that needs to change, this is what change looks like.

“And I’m so proud to be standing here and so thankful to all of those people.

“And for me, this is about not representing the minority.

“It felt like we weren’t at the time, but standing here right now, this represents the majority.

“So thank you all so much.

“Let’s keep having those difficult conversations, let’s keep standing up for what’s right regardless of the colour of our skin and we will achieve that equality.”