Richard E Grant couldn't resist a cheeky quip about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars as he hosted the BAFTAs tonight.
The much-loved actor was hosting from London's Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, where he began the show with a monologue where he jokingly brought out his CV and quipped it would be a great way to get a new job with so many big film directors and actors in the room alongside him. He also made a dig about Daniel Day Lewis, with whom he wouldn't have got his first breakout role.
However, it wasn't long until there was a cheeky dig at Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars last year, in a move which shocked people across the world.
Hosting the show tonight, Richard joked he would try to avoid seeing people get slapped this time around.
"Nobody on my watch gets slapped tonight," he joked before slapping himself with both hands, as the audience laughed. He then introduced the opening performance by Ariana DeBose, who paid tribute to the incredible women of the film industry.
This year's BAFTAs is presented by Richard E Grant and Alison Hammond, three weeks before the Oscars are aired in America.
Richard previously said of his appointment as host: "I feel hugely privileged to be hosting the EE BAFTAs for the first time and the opportunity to celebrate the very best of the extraordinary range of this year’s films," whilst Alison is hosting Bafta Studio, an immersive and access-all-areas experience, as part of the BBC One show.
"I’m so excited to be hosting at this year’s EE Bafta Film Awards with THE Richard E Grant. We’re going to have a lot of fun bringing the glitz and glam of backstage to everyone watching at home around the world. From hanging out with the stars to celebrating the biggest night for cinema, and joining the discussions with film fans, get ready for good vibes only," she said.
At the Oscars last year, while presenting for the best documentary feature category, the comedian Chris Rock decided to throw a jibe about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, saying: "Jada, can't wait for GI Jane 2."
Will - who was less than impressed with the quip – walked up to the stage and slapped the presenter, before returning to his seat. F rom his seat, Will screamed out "Keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth."
