The BAFTA Film Awards returned for another year as stars from the big screen headed to London to celebrate their successes, yet there were a few hiccups along the way not shown on TV
The BAFTA Film Awards returned for another year filled of glitzy showbiz glamour, yet it didn’t go down without a few mistakes that were kept off the TV broadcast.
Stars from the big screen headed to London on Sunday night to celebrate their achievements from the past year. Doctor Who’s David Tennant took on hosting duties as he welcomed the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Hugh Grant and Warwick Davis to the Royal Festival Hall.
Movies Conclave and The Brutalist scooped up huge gongs on the night while Adrien Brody won Best Actor and Mikey Madison bagged Best Actress. The award ceremony was broadcast on BBC yet there was plenty of drama omitted from the programme including wardrobe malfunctions, swearing and digs at Donald Trump. Here is a look at what you may have missed…
Wardrobe malfunction
Host David suffered a wardrobe malfunction (
Getty Images for BAFTA)
Host David Tennant kicked off the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards with an exciting monologue, however he was hit with technical issues at the start of the ceremony in unaired scenes. At the start of the awards, David stepped out to make his opening monologue when his microphone wire fell out of his kilt. “We’ll cut that bit out,” he told the audience. It was cut out of the BBC programme that went on air shortly afterwards.
Swearing
Actress Zoe Saldana swore while on stage (
Image:
Getty Images for BAFTA)
Emilia Perez star Zoe Saldana won the supporting actress BAFTA and said the win was “so validating” and “a true honour”. She added: “This was a creative challenge of a lifetime, how do you begin to even approach a film that just defies categorisation, and you start by taking the lead of (director) Jacques Audiard.”
However, she then swore after saying she was being given a countdown. Zoe shouted “f**k, f**k, f**k” and added: “Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds and I hope Emilia Perez did something like this, because voices need to be heard, just not my English accent.” Coverage of the awards did not air her f-bomb fuelled conclusion but showed her walking away from the stage.
Donald Trump dig
David Tennant decided to take a swipe at US President Donald Trump during his opening monologue. He made his entrance to The Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and quipped he “walked 500 miles just to host one BAFTAs more.” The actor didn’t shy away from addressing contentious issues in his opening speech.
He made a cheeky reference to Trump while discussing The Brutalist, describing it as “a film about incredible architecture. In fact, it’s the boldest architecture in film this year, apart from Donald Trump’s hair in The Apprentice.” Referring to the biopic based on Trump’s life, which features Sebastian Stan as the property tycoon, he joked that it’s unlikely the president had watched it.
“It’s a 15 and it’s not on Nickelodeon,” David said, prompting laughter from the crowd. “Donald Trump… I’m worried. I’ve said his name three times. It’s like Beetlejuice – I’ve summoned him.” He moved on: “Talking of villains…We’ve got many this year, not just Nosferatu.”
Surprise stars
Kylie Jenner made a surprise appearance (
Image:
BAFTA via Getty Images)
The BAFTAs saw stars across the entertainment industry head to Royal Festival Hall in London. However there were a few surprise appearance from unexpected celebrities. Reality TV star Kylie Jenner turned up to the event to support her actor boyfriend Timothée Chalamet.
The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star, who was previously in a relationship with Travis Scott, and the Wonka actor have been going strong since they went public with their romance last year. Kylie avoided the red carpet but took to her seat and looked stunning in a black mesh gown with embellished details. The influencer added silver heels as well as silver earrings and wore her dark locks in a loose bun. As she took her seat, she could be seen chatting to Monica Barbaro as Timothée came over to join them.
Incredible outfits
Kneecap walked the red carpet before the ceremony (
Image:
PA)West Belfast rap group Kneecap arrived in style ahead of the ceremony where their Irish-language film was nominated in six categories. The film is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the band was formed and is directed by Rich Peppiatt. It stars bandmates Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (Mo Chara), Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap), and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí), as well as Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.Arriving on the red carpet on Sunday, JJ Ó Dochartaigh showcased his Irish pride as he donned a suit depicting the country’s tri-colour flag alongside his famous matching balaclava. JJ, Liam, and Naoise looked in high spirits as they posed for pictured on the red carpet alongside director Rich Peppiatt.
‘Embarrassing performance’
Fans slammed Take That’s performance (
Image:
Getty Images for BAFTA)Take That were the performers at the BAFTAs as they played their hit Greatest Day. Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow made their way through the audience and onto the stage as they performed their song. The live audience appeared thrilled with their appearance, yet viewers at home were not so much.
One fumed: “Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet sat front row at the #BAFTAs and the best we can produce is a 2008 song from Take That and it was a remix. I’m genuinely embarrassed.” Another added: “The likes of Kylie Jenner and Ariana Grande watching Take That perform is sending me.” Someone else commented: “Well it was going fairly painlessly till Take That cheesed up the place…”
