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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mark Jefferies & Nicola Methven

BAFTA bringing back special award after Noel Clark controversy saw it scrapped

BAFTA is to reinstate its special awards and fellowships after scrapping them in the wake of last year’s Noel Clarke scandal.

The Mirror revealed ahead of the TV Awards last June that bosses had suspended all the individual honours that were "in the gift of the Academy" rather than voted for by an industry panel.

It followed huge criticism when it handed Clarke, inset, an award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award in April, despite him being investigated over sexual harassment claims, which he denies.

The award was suspended 19 days later and bosses said they were “reviewing” the selection protocols.

At the time, bosses explained they were "reviewing" the selection protocols to prevent any more being handed to an industry figure mired in controversy.

Noel Clarke posing with the award for the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in April 2021 (BAFTA/AFP via Getty Images)

Now the selection process is being beefed up with the creation of a dedicated committee, with the BAFTA board getting the final sign-off.

BAFTA said the changes follow a "lengthy, thoughtful and thorough" process, which included input from the TV, film and gaming sectors.

The most recent honours in TV have gone to Idris Elba, Joan Bakewell, Joanna Lumley and Kate Adie.

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that actress Rebel Wilson would hosting the 2022 BAFTA film awards in March.

Rebel hosting the awards at the Royal Albert Hall in 2020 (Guy Levy/BAFTA/REX)

The Bridesmaids star will head up proceedings at the Royal Albert Hall on 13 March after impressing BAFTA bosses with humour and wit during previous ceremonies.

Speaking at the time of the announcement, BAFTA’s chief executive Amanda Berry said: "Rebel has stolen the show at several previous film awards, and we’re hugely excited to see her bring her fantastic charisma and humour to the whole show."

Rebel, 41, also spoke excitedly about her appointment - poking fun at her recent weight loss in her own statement.

"It’s going to be so much fun! I don’t wanna put any pressure on this – I know I’m not going to be funny because I am no longer fat," the Australian actress joked.

"And besides, I’m not going to ‘sweat-it’ with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can’t sweat … or cause offence to people because of my adorable Australian accent."

"So basically, I’ll just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench and together we’ll both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean 'bond'.

"This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises such as Harry Potter and not such as Cats. Everybody’s going to love it, I’m sure!"

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