RISCA sprinter Jamie Baulch was honoured at the BAFTA Cymru awards last night for his programme 'Jamie Baulch: Looking for my Birth Mum'.

RISCA sprinter Jamie Baulch has been honoured at the Bafta Cymru awards for his programme Jamie Baulch: Looking for my Birth Mum.

The Olympic silver medallist was given up for adoption in 1973 and the programme, shown on BBC Wales last year, follows the Risca sprinter’s search for his birth mother, Teresa Ann Mills, who has terminal cancer.

He received the award for best Single Documentary at the ceremony at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, which was hosted by Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens.

Mr Baulch, 42, who is a patron of Adopt Wales, said he was humbled by the award and was overwhelmed by viewers’ reaction to the programme.

He told the Argus “It’s kind of weird really, to win a BAFTA. It wasn’t me, it was the programme, but I was the programme.

“It’s nice to be recognised in another way. I have won several medals over the years in track and field terms and this is kind of nice.

“You get these people who do track and field and they have got a persona on television and in their personal life.

“I don’t know how to act, I was just being me. My persona is me. I’m quite proud that I’m one of these people who does not have change.”

A chance conversation with BBC Wales producer Connie Fisher last Christmas left Mr Baulch wanting to say thank you to Mrs Mills, who chose to go through with the pregnancy.

Mr Baulch’s adoptive parents, Alan and Marilyn Baulch, also feature in the programme and gave their blessing to his search to find Mrs Mills.

Mr Baulch said that this made the process all the more special and that he is now doing a follow-up documentary with BBC Wales, which aims to track down his biological father, who is Jamaican and served with the army in Germany.

He said: “Because I had such a good upbringing, I didn’t have any skeletons in the closest.

“There’s no hiding place, but I I didn’t see it as being brave. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the whole thing.

“Since the programme aired, several people approached me on social media, saying because of the programme, they have adopted. I just think, ‘Oh my God. What more can I ask for?’

Newport-born Hollywood actor Michael Sheen was also nominated in the factual programming category and in the presenter category for Michael Sheen’s Valleys Rebellion, where he followed in the footsteps of the Chartists in the 1839 Uprising. He missed out on both awards.

Abergavenny poet Owen Sheers also missed out on an award after being nominated for Dylan Thomas, A Poet’s Guide.

The award for Actor was presented to Richard Harrington for his portrayal of DCI Tom Matthias in internationally-acclaimed Y Gwyll/Hinterland, the Welsh language drama which also triumphed in the Titles and Graphic Identity category (Sarah Breese).

Rhod Gilbert won the Presenter award for RAF Fighter Pilot: Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience.

James Dean Bradfield of Blackwood's Manic Street Preachers also presented an award.