The 59-year-old triumphed in the Leading Actress category on Sunday evening, beating the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Reid.

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Sarah won for her role as Catherine Cawood in hit BBC drama, Happy Valley, and which saw her have a strong Yorkshire accent.

But as she took to the stage to accept her award, BAFTA viewers were shocked to hear her real voice.

In stark contrast to Catherine’s dulcet tones in Happy Valley, Sarah – who is from Oldham, Greater Manchester, has a polite accent that some described as “posh”.

Taking to social media, one wrote: “Always forget Sarah Lancashire is actually posh…”

Another added: “Why is Sarah Lancashire putting on that strange accent?”

A third tweeted: “I never knew Sarah Lancashire talked like that in real life!!!”

Meanwhile a fourth shared: “Sarah Lancashire’s accent was a jump scare.”

The actress was very emotional during her acceptance speech at the ceremony, which was held on London’s Royal Festival Hall.

After praising her fellow nominees, she said tearfully: “Thank you Sally Wainwright [Happy Valley writer] I shall forever be grateful to you for this opportunity.”

She then moved on to thank the cast and crew of Happy Valley, which includes James Norton and Siobhan Finneran.

Sarah said: “I feel very, very privileged to have been surrounded by these brilliant actors and I thank each and every one of you.”

Viewers were thrilled over Sarah’s win, after Happy Valley became one of the BBC’s biggest ever dramas.

One wrote: “I was ready to riot if Sarah Lancashire hadn’t won that! Thank God, more than deserved.”

Another added: “The moment of joy we’ve all been waiting for. Seeing Sarah Lancashire crowned Leading Actress .#BAFTATVAwards #HappyValley What a SUPERB performance, what a SUPERB production, cast and crew. What GREAT writing.”

A third tweeted: “Sarah Lancashire – one of my all time favourite actresses! Such talent! She never fails to blow me away – no matter the part! Pair her with Sally Wainwright’s writing and it’s off the scale! Bravo.”

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