It’s time to give out face masks
Prepare for a very different TV awards ceremony as celebs attend BAFTA’s big bash via video link
BRITISH ACADEMY TELEVISION AWARDS 2020
BBC1, 7pm
HERE’S a question we never thought we’d ask… If a celebrity is nominated for an award for a glitzy red carpet event, but they’ve been relocated to their living room via videolink, what on earth do they wear? A full-on ball gown might be a bit much.
Proving that the age of Zoom is not over yet, this is one of the biggest entertainment events of the year – and it’s all going to be carefully choreographed on video.
Richard Ayoade hosts from a TV studio, with all nominees and winners watching from home.
“I am as surprised as you are that this is still going ahead,” he quips. However, some presenters will award prizes from the studio, including Adrian Lester, Normal People’s Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, Greg Davies, Himesh Patel, Jessica Hynes, Stacey Dooley and Nina Sosanya.
Meanwhile, stars including Chris O’Dowd, David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Ruth Madeley, Jeff Goldblum and even Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, will present virtually.
Among the nominees, some of the big hitters likely to scoop up gongs include Chernobyl, Fleabag, The Crown, The Virtues and Giri/Haji, while Idris Elba will receive the Bafta Special award for his career and commitment to championing diversity in the industry.
And that’s not all… there’s more. Comedian Tom Allen presents a BAFTA pre-show and Tim Minchin performs, including an original song that he composed especially for the event.
So while it isn’t quite the glamorous awards show we’re used to, this socially-distanced version is certainly one we won’t forget.