From Emma Stone’s awkward camera blunder to a Ted Lasso star’s ‘cringe and woke’ stand up and a bizarre BBC red carpet interview about Barry Keoghan’s manhood, this year’s BAFTAs had it all.
Last night’s prestigious awards at The Royal Festival Hall saw Oppenheimer take home seven awards, while it was also a successful night for Poor Things, which picked up five gongs.
Former England captain David Beckham was among those who made an appearance at the star-studded spectacle – but viewers were left fuming after he referred to football as ‘soccer’ at the British event.
This year’s ceremony saw Tennant impressively make his debut as a BAFTA host – while Michael J Fox, who is living with Parkinson’s disease, moved viewers to tears as he came out on stage in a wheelchair but insisted on standing at the podium.
But in contrast, viewers ‘switched off’ after Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed irked spectators with a high-pitched voice – and a BBC reporter left Andrew Scott squirming when he asked him about Keoghan’s naked scene at the end of Saltburn.
Doctor Who star Tennant was a triumph, with his constant enthusiasm and brilliant humour proving infectious – while he also stunned the crowd by bringing out Michael Sheen’s pet dog with the suitably starry name of Bark Ruffalo.
But his opening monologue also turned political as he appeared to joke about Donald Trump and the upcoming US election.
Referencing Emma Stone’s BAFTA winning film, Tennant said: ‘Poor Things is nominated… When a child’s brain is put in an adult’s body and later this year one of those might be elected president.’
When Stone went up on stage to accept her Best Actress award, she suffered an awkward moment when she bumped into the cameraman as she got up from her seat.
Viewers were left cringing at Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed after being irked by his stand-up routine
Andrew Scott had to walk away from a BBC interviewer after he was quizzed about Barry Keoghan’s manhood
David Tennant impressed with his BAFTA hosting debut but his speech turned political and referenced Donald Trump
Fortunately, fellow Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham delighted crowds with a beautiful rendition of ‘Time After Time’ by Cyndi Lauper and Sophie Ellis-Bextor performed her ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ hit which has recently had a resurgence.
Tennant, who was following up on Richard E Grant’s hosting last year, kicked off the awards with a Staged-style sketch, which aired during the Covid pandemic, about dog-sitting Sheen’s pet.
He brought some serious style to the occasion, sporting a total of three dramatic looks throughout the evening, including an embellished kilt and jacket combo.
Viewers were treated to a Zoom-like call with Tennant’s Staged and Good Omens co-star Sheen, which showed the Doctor Who actor sat in his kitchen with a grey kilt hanging up in the background.
The hilarious sketch featured Tennant’s wife Georgia, American actor Stanley Tucci, Yesterday star Himesh Patel, Loki actor Tom Hiddleston and finally Dame Judi Dench.
After the Zoom call, the ceremony began with Tennant entering the auditorium through the audience, wearing the kilt and holding Bark Ruffalo and other pet-related items including a blanket and a lead.
Laughter was heard throughout the venue when Tennant notices Sheen sitting in the front row, and they argue about who should keep hold of the pet before Sheen relents and lets his co-star begin his hosting monologue dog-free.
There were some touching moments during this year’s ceremony – no more so than when Fox, who has battled Parkinson’s since 1991, was helped to the podium to announce that Best Film had been awarded to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
The Back To The Future film series star was described as a ‘true legend of cinema’ by Tennant, who introduced Fox on to the stage.
Michael J Fox presents the Best Film Award to Oppenheimer
David Tennant hosted the awards bash and was at one point joined by a white fluffy dog
Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month’s abdominal surgery
After entering the stage in a wheelchair, Fox earned a hugely warm reception from stars including Margot Robbie, Bradley Cooper and Barry Keoghan, who were in attendance.
The legendary 80s film star was visibly touched by the reaction, as he supported himself on the podium to reveal the nominees and eventual winner.
Presenting the prize, he said: ‘Five films were nominated in this category tonight and all five have something in common. They are the best of what we do.
‘No matter who you are or where you’re from, these films can bring us together.
‘There’s a reason why they say movies are magic because movies can change your day.
‘It can change your outlook. Sometimes it can change your life.’
But viewers were left cringing Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed – who portrayed his famous Mr. Swallow persona.
Mohammed’s alter-ego from Leeds, who has a comically high-pitched voice, arrived on roller skates in the middle of the ceremony.
He introduced his character, which he has been portraying on stage and TV screens for over a decade, as a mix of British ice skaters ‘Torvill and Dean and the crab from The Little Mermaid’.
Saltburn star Barry Keoghan looked typically stylish in a dark green jacket and matching trousers
Hannah Waddingham donned a chic navy floral midi dress, teamed with clear heels
Cillian Murphy accepts the Leading Actor Award for Oppenheimer
The biggest night in British film returned with actor David Tennant as host, with an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night
He also cracked a joke about the Royal Family which BAFTA president Prince William was seen awkwardly chuckling along too.
Mohammed joked that there would be an evacuation procedure in the event of an emergency during the show.
He said there would be a strict order over who would be evacuated, ‘starting with me’.
He then joked: ‘Then it’s the BAFTA trophies, followed by winners, nominees, publicists, everyone else, influencers.’
Although some saw the funny side, many viewers were left cringing. The camera cut to Prince William who was chuckling next to Cate Blanchett.
Mohammed’s Ted Lasso co-star Hannah Waddingham dedicated a cover of ‘Time after Time’ to all of the stars that have tragically passed away in film and TV.
Reacting to the performance, one viewer wrote: ‘Hannah Waddingham is just wonderful!’
A second posted: ‘Wow that performance from Hannah Waddingham made me emotional.’
Sophie Ellis-Bextor performs iconic hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’
David Beckham presents the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer to Earth Mama
Luther actor Idris Elba presents the Leading Actress Award
Sophie Ellis-Bextor also stole the show with an impressive performance of her viral hit Murder on the Dancefloor – which had a resurgence following its appearance in Saltburn.
Irish actor Barry Keoghan is seen dancing around the Saltburn mansion completely naked in a clip which went viral.
BBC reporter Colin Paterson left viewers cringing when he asked Andrew Scott: ‘Do you know Barry Keoghan well?’
When he said he knew Keoghan, Paterson followed up with: ‘Can I ask your reaction when you first saw the naked dance scene at the end of Saltburn?’
As Scott pulled away from the reporter, Paterson again probed, asking: ‘There is a lot of talk about the prosthetics…’
For the past year it’s been Barbie vs Oppenheimer, but last night Christopher Nolan’s big budget drama coming out on top at this year’s Bafta Film Awards.
The biopic of J Robert Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy, won seven awards including best film, best director and best actor while Barbie walked away empty-handed.
US actress Emma Stone, 35, who wore a peach Louis Vuitton frock, came out on top in the best actress category, beating others including Barbie star Margot Robbie, 33, and Carey Mulligan, 38.
Cillian Murphy, 47, picked up the award for best actor for his title role in Oppenheimer, beating the likes of Bradley Cooper and Barry Keoghan.
Robert Downey Jr, 58, was best supporting actor for Oppenheimer, which also won for best cinematography, original score and editing.