On 29 July, 2005, Anthony Walker was waiting at a bus stop with his girlfriend, Louise Thompson, when they attracted the attention of Michael Barton and Paul Taylor.

Within moments, Barton and Taylor began hurling racist abuse at the couple and, when Walker and Thompson walked away, pursued them in their car. Barton and Taylor ambushed the teens when they reached the park. While Thompson managed to escape and ran away to get help, Walker was fatally wounded when Taylor hit him in the head with an ice axe.

He died in hospital in the early hours of the morning on 30 July 2005.

Now, 16 years later, Rakie Ayola has been awarded Best Supporting Actress at the 2021 TV Baftas for portraying Anthony’s mother, Gee Walker, in Anthony, Jimmy McGovern’s BBC One film about the life the teenager could have lived.

In an emotional speech, the talented actor said: “Gee Walker; thank you for having the bravery and the strength to ask Jimmy McGovern to write your son’s story, and to celebrate the person that Anthony Walker should have been, and never was.”

Ayola continued: “I would ask anyone, if you think for a second that you know anybody who thinks all they have is to take the life of another, do whatever you can to stop them.

“Gee Walker said to me the one reason she wanted her son’s story to be told is because she thought people might watch it and they might think about it just long enough for someone to get away, just a few seconds to get up off the floor and run.”

Later, on Twitter, Ayola said: “Thank you for this @BAFTA, and congratulations you brilliant women and all other nominees. I’m chuffed to be amongst you. 

“No, I’m not chuffed… I’m thrilled.”

The 2021 TV Baftas is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Images: Getty