BAFTA TV Awards’ most brutal and scandalous moments – including Lorraine Kelly backlash

Since its inception in 1954, the BAFTA TV Awards have handed out a range of glittering awards celebrating the best of British television.

From groundbreaking dramas to unforgettable performances, the night is a showcase of talent and glamor.

But where there is ostentation and admiration, it is inevitable that there will be awkward arguments from time to time.

Over the years, the ceremony has had shocking moments and unexpected surprises.

From cruel put-downs to awkward backstage interviews to making political statements, not everything went according to script.

Here’s a look at BATA TV’s most talked about and controversial moments.

Absolutely cruel disdain

He was roundly rejected at the BAFTA Television Awards for the first time in eight years.

The BBC show was left out of the Entertainment Program category, despite appearing in 2019 and winning in 2024.

The ballroom act didn’t even get a nod for the Unforgettable An gong, despite having won it twice before.

The shock snub follows the departures of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, as well as the ongoing cast massacre.

An industry insider said: ‘This is a fantastic turn of events for Strictly, which flew high at the Baftas just two years ago and the show also celebrates its 20th birthday.

“But since then the show has been mired in scandal and now of course two of its greatest assets, Tess and Claudia, are leaving and it feels like there’s less to celebrate on the show,” he said. Sun.

The Daily Mail has contacted Strictly Come Dancing for comment.

Awkward backstage interviews

Viewers of the BAFTA TV Awards in 2023 complained about not being able to hear parts of the event’s backstage interviews.

After receiving their awards, the winners went backstage to be interviewed by YouTuber and journalist Amelia Dimoldenberg.

Although Amelia was careful to keep the microphone close to the winner, she sometimes forgot to bring it closer to her mouth while speaking.

As a result, viewers at home couldn’t hear what he and some of the stars were saying.

Some viewers complained that the interviews were ‘weird’ to watch.

‘Inappropriate’ opening

DJ Jax Jones and singer Calum Scott took to the stage at the opening of the ceremony in 2023 and sang their song Whistle.

‘Grow up Kate Winslet,’ said DJ Jax before performing the track, which describes the act of whistling as a metaphor for sexual intimacy.

Dancers dressed as fish were also seen on stage during their performances.

The performance was described as ’embarrassing’ or ‘weird’ by some viewers, while social media users questioned whether it was an ‘appropriate’ song for the ceremony.

Hosts mocked Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were the target of jokes made by BAFTA TV Awards presenters Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett.

In 2023, Romesh and Rob opened the ceremony with a review of the former duo who are now presenting.

Pointing to Imelda Staunton, who was nominated for best actress for her role as the late Queen in The Crown, Rob said: ‘She was nominated for her performance in The Crown.

‘Looks like Holly and Phil got to watch this a few days before everyone else.

‘Some advantage for you, early gates’, referring to the tail gate.

The couple was married to the late Queen Elizabeth II. They were met with backlash when they lined up to see Elizabeth lying on the ground.

Lorraine Kelly’s win sparked reaction

Lorraine Kelly was honored by BAFTA in 2024 for her decades of work in the entertainment industry.

He was given a ‘special appreciation award’.

Despite his profound speech on stage, social media users did not share his enthusiasm.

Instead, many used the

The One Congratulations #Lorraine, you hosted 64 of 95 episodes this year (67.3%).’

Speaking later on BBC Women’s Hour, Lorraine addressed the jokes made about her online.

He said: ‘No problem. I don’t care, I don’t care. ‘I probably cared about it before but now I really don’t, everything is absolutely fine.’

He added: ‘But you should never comment on things like that if you don’t know what’s going on in people’s lives but I’ve been having to take a few Fridays off because my mum’s been really unwell.’

He continued: ‘So now I can go home and spend some more time with him and help him more than I ever have. This is happening now, but this will change.

‘I’ve been working five days a week for 40 years so I’m taking a bit of a break and obviously it’s half term this week so I can talk to you!’

Gary Lineker branded ‘traitor’

In 2023, hosts Rob and Romesh joked that Gary Lineker was a ‘traitor’ while poking fun at the Match of the Day controversy.

Rob joked: ‘A few months ago we were hoping The Traitors would make a quick return to BBC One.

‘Well, that’s what some newspapers call Match of the Day presenters anyway.

‘Are we angry? I think we might be nervous.’

The joke was in reference to Gary’s brief sacking as host of Match Of The Day in March after he criticized the Government’s asylum policy on X.

political statements

Even though it’s an awards ceremony, winners still have time to make a political statement during their acceptance speeches.

BAFTA speeches in 2016 were marked by discussions about the government cutting funding to the BBC.

While Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky’s speech made headlines after criticizing the then Culture Minister John Whittingdale, Mark Rylance also issued a warning to the government.

Most recently, Brian Cox, who plays Logan Roy in Succession, wore a red badge with a hand on it, which was seen as a ceasefire call in Gaza.

Khalid Abdalla, who played Princess Diana’s late boyfriend Dodi Fayed in The Crown, also wore the red pin.

The actor, who came to take a photo on the red carpet, raised his hand with the words ‘Stop arming Israel’ written on it.

He said he was carrying 14,000 red stamps in his other hand, representing the children killed in Gaza.

BAFTA has reportedly warned nominees against talking about politics at the film awards.

A spokesperson for Bafta previously said: ‘Bafta is an independent arts charity that supports talented individuals to unlock their full potential, and events like this provide a fantastic opportunity for the best in our industry to inspire the next generation.

‘With this in mind, we hope Sunday’s winners will be happy to share a tidbit or two about the making of their Bafta-winning show or performance.’

BAFTA gate

BAFTAgate refers to the 1992 controversy when Prime Suspect controversially beat GBH for Best Drama Series at the TV BAFTA Awards.

TV producer and jury member Irene Shubik was accused of having a conflict of interest due to a fight with GBH executive producer Verity Lamber.

After the votes were cast, Irene reportedly reviewed the votes and said: ‘We have a decision. ‘It’s four to three.’

Irene said the votes showed that the award went to Prime Suspect, starring Helen Mirren.

But four of the judges decided to breach the academy’s privacy policy and announced they were voting for Channel 4’s GBH, starring Robert Lindsay.

BAFTA President Richard Price said the ballot papers had already been destroyed and could not be recounted.

Despite the controversy, the award remained valid, but Irene later resigned from the Academy board.