15 May 2023 , 11:11
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Siobhán McSweeney's acceptance speech on Sunday night's BAFTA TV Awards was cut short as she thanked the people of Derry and called out the "stupidity of their so called leaders".
The Derry Girls star, 43, won best female performance in a comedy programme at the awards for her role as Sister Michael in the hit Channel 4 show.
Yet the BBC did not show the Irish actress' full speech as it was cut short on the programme aired on Sunday evening.
The official BAFTA YouTube channel has posted Siobhán's full speech, which shows the BBC programme cut out her calling out multiple governments.
In the full speech she said: "To the people of Derry, thank you for taking me into your hearts and your living rooms. I am daily impressed with how you encompass the spirit of compromise and resilience.
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Siobhán McSweeney speech was cut by the BBC (Getty Images for BAFTA)"Despite the indignities, ignorance and stupidity of your so called leaders in Dublin, Stormont and Westminster."
It was met with a cheer from the audience, as she added: "In the words of my beloved Sister Michael, 'it's time they started to wise up'."
As Siobhán headed off stage she could be heard saying: "I'm shaking."
Whilst on the BBC BAFTA coverage aired on Sunday night from 7pm till 9pm, Siobhán's speech simply finished as she said: "To the people of Derry, thank you for taking me into your hearts and your living rooms."
In response, a BBC Spokesperson said: “As in previous years, due to the nature of the show it is broadcast with a short delay, and while we always aim to keep the core sentiment of acceptance speeches, edits have to be made due to time constraints.”
Siobhán was up against Daisy May Cooper, Diane Morgan, Lucy Beaumont, Natasia Demetriou and Taj Atwal, but ultimately scooped the prize.
Derry Girls also bagged best scripted comedy at the award show and was also up for P&O Cruises memorable moment award.
Siobhán won for her role as Sister Michael in the hit series Derry Girls (Channel 4)The award winning show Derry Girls ran for three seasons and became Channel 4's most successful comedy series since Father Ted.
It was inspired by its creator and writer's own experiences growing up in Derry, Northern Ireland, during the final years of the Troubles.
Receiving critical acclaim, the juxtaposition of political turbulence and teenage innocence has seen it become the most successful Northern Irish series since records began.
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Each episode has earned millions of viewers at release and has even been referenced in The Simpsons.
However, as creator Lisa McGee revealed: "It was always the plan to say goodbye after three series. It has been an honour to write it and I will be forever proud of everything it has achieved."
Siobhán thanked the people of Derry in her speech (PA)
The actress also called out Dublin, Stormont and Westminster in her speech (Getty Images for BAFTA)"Who knows if Erin, Clare, Orla, Michelle and James will return in some other guise someday, but for now this is it for us," she said.
A BBC spokesperson said in a statement: "As in previous years, due to the nature of the show it is broadcast with a short delay, and while we always aim to keep the core sentiment of acceptance speeches, edits have to be made due to time constraints.
"The BBC has to take a three hour broadcast into two hours to time, and other cuts were made throughout the broadcast for this reason, but *many* people are saying that this speech should have been left in."
Viewers sadly said goodbye to the much loved cast in May last year.
An extended episode titled "Agreement" rounded off the series as it was set against a key moment in Northern Irish history: the vote over the Good Friday Agreement - a year after the final episode of series 3.
Lisa added: "Like all the very best 90s bands, I couldn't resist ending our farewell tour with an encore for our loyal fans.
"The special deals with the historic and momentous Good Friday Agreement vote, which coincides with the gang's coming of age, they enter adulthood just as Northern Ireland embarks on a new future".
The Mirror has contacted the BBC and Siobhán's representative for comment.