Ruined red carpets, racial controversy, royal ravers and plenty of red faces: As the British Academy Film Awards get underway… a look back at the best (and worst) moments from its storied 76-year history
The biggest night in British film is just around the corner, with the 76th annual BAFTAs taking place on Sunday night.
As the UK’s answer to the Oscars, there are always plenty of memorable moments that take place, from awkward speeches to backstage blunders and some very cheeky moments with the royal family.
For the first time, this year’s ceremony will also be held at a new location, moving from the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington to Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall.
While the setting may be different you can still expect plenty of drama and delights when the British Academy Film Awards airs this weekend.
At this year’s ceremony German anti-war epic All Quiet on the Western Front looks set to sweep the board with a whopping 14 nominations – yet you can never assume anything when it comes to the BAFTAs.
Indeed, from Leonardo DiCaprio breaking his own age rule to Meryl Streep having her very own Cinderella moment, there have been no shortage of highs, lows, and everything in between – and MailOnline has them all.
The look of love: He may be famed for chasing younger ladies, but Leonardo DiCaprio had his eyes on a more mature woman when he planted a a huge kiss on Dame Maggie Smith
Unexpected: When the camera panned to Leo he didn’t hold back and pulled in a game Dame Maggie for a big smacker, which the actress later described as a ‘real thrill’
Leonardo DiCaprio puckers up for Dame Maggie Smith – 2016
He may be famed for chasing younger ladies, but Leonardo DiCaprio had his eyes on a more mature woman when he planted a a huge kiss on Dame Maggie Smith.
The 2016 BAFTAs fell on Valentine’s Day and show bosses decided to honour the holiday by setting up a kiss cam for the unsuspecting audience.
When the camera panned to Leo he didn’t hold back and pulled in a game Dame Maggie for a big smacker, which the actress later described as a ‘real thrill.’
They weren’t the only pair to pucker up, with Julianne Moore planting a smooch on Brian Cranston and Eddie Izzard enjoying a steamy snog with Rebel Wilson all in the name of fun.
Royal seal of approval: The Prince of Wales showed his cheeky side at the 2014 BAFTAs when he bantered with Dame Helen Mirren while presenting her with the Fellowship Award
Winning role: Dame Helen won a BAFTA playing William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth (R)
Prince William banters with Dame Helen Mirren – 2014
The Prince of Wales showed his cheeky side at the 2014 BAFTAs when he bantered with Dame Helen Mirren while presenting her with the Fellowship Award.
Dame Helen famously played the Queen in the 2006 movie, a role that saw her win a BAFTA, Golden Globe and an Oscar.
And the prince couldn’t help referencing it when they met, calling her ‘an extremely talented British actress I should probably call Granny’.
Helen later referred to the royal as a ‘very nice chap’, saying there was ‘no prince-ness about him at all.’
Not happy: Longtime BAFTA host Stephen Fry came under fire at the 2016 BAFTAs when he mocked costume designer Jenny Beavan
Awkward: Stephen couldn’t help but comment on her outfit, quipping she was ‘ dressed like a bag lady’, much to the shock of viewers
Stephen Fry has a fashion faux pas – 2016
Longtime BAFTA host Stephen Fry came under fire at the 2016 BAFTAs when he mocked costume designer Jenny Beavan.
Jenny won for her work on Mad Max: Fury Road and collected the honour in a leather jacket a baggy top and trousers.
And Stephen couldn’t help but comment on her outfit, quipping she was ‘dressed like a bag lady’, much to the shock of viewers.
Despite Stephen revealing that the pair were friends, and Jenny insisting that she wasn’t offended, the backlash was so great that Stephen ended up deleting his Twitter account.
Give me a high-five: Tinie Tempah could not help but give Prince William a high-five as he opened the 2014 BAFTAs
Good sport: Good natured William was happy to join in and Tinie later said it was a spur of the moment decision
Tinie Tempah breaks royal protocol – 2014
As BAFTA President, the Prince of Wales is often seen rubbing shoulders with celebrities on the red carpet.
Yet Prince William was thrown right into the action when Tinie Tempah performed at the 2014 ceremony.
While a customary greeting for a prince would be to either bow or shake hands, rapper Tinie instead launched in for a high five as he involved the royal in his performance.
Good natured William was happy to join in and Tinie later said it was a spur of the moment decision and he was glad to have delivered a fun and memorable performance.
A real life Prince Charming! Colin Firth rushed to Meryl Streep’s rescue at the 2012 ceremony when her shoe flew off on the way to the stage
What a gent! Firth got down on one knee to place the Jimmy Choo gently back on Streep’s foot
Meryl Streep has a Cinderella moment (and Colin Firth plays Prince Charming) – 2012
The typically unflappable Meryl Streep was left all a fluster when she suffered a wardrobe malfunction at the 2012 ceremony.
While stepping onto the stage to collect Best Actress for The Iron Lady, the veteran actress stumbled and managed to lose a shoe.
Luckily, Meryl’s Mamma Mia co-star, Colin Firth, came to her aid, rushing over to pick up her black Jimmy Choo and place it gently on her foot.
While Meryl pressed on she later confessed that she felt awful because in her flustered state she had forgotten to thank her longtime hair and make-up artist in her speech.
Taking home the bacon: The most talked about guest at the 1996 ceremony was undoubtedly Babe the pig
Babe pigs out on the red carpet – 1996
The likes of Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson and Tim Roth graced the red carpet at the 1996 BAFTA Awards.
Yet the most talked about guest on the evening was undoubtedly Babe the pig.
The piglet was given their very own seat at the show and sat patiently throughout the lengthy ceremony.
Sadly the little swine didn’t get its moment on the stage as Babe failed to win any of the four awards it had been nominated for.
Misstep: Jennifer Lawrence was forced to issue a grovelling apology in 2018 after she was accused of being ‘rude’ to host Joanna Lumley
Outrage: Shocked viewers rushed to label Jennifer a ‘spoiled brat’, but the actress insisted it had been an ‘inside joke’ with Joanna because she’d told the presenter to ‘big her up’ on stage
Jennifer Lawrence ‘offends the whole of England’ – 2018
Jennifer Lawrence was forced to issue a grovelling apology in 2018 after she was accused of being ‘rude’ to host Joanna Lumley.
Joanna had referred to the Hunger Games star as the ‘hottest actress on the planet’, prompting Jennifer to walk on, roll her eyes and declare ‘That was a bit much.’
Shocked viewers rushed to label Jennifer a ‘spoiled brat’, but the actress insisted it had been an ‘inside joke’ with Joanna because she’d told the presenter to ‘big her up’ on stage.
Jennifer later apologised for ‘offending the whole of England’ and said she would never try and make a joke like that again.
Hilarious: Tom Hanks inadvertently labelled Julie Walters ‘old’ and waved his cue cards across the screen during a backstage chat with the Best Supporting Actress winner in 2001
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rzB9mO6xYmg%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
Tom Hanks causes chaos backstage – 2001
Hollywood heavyweight Tom Hanks was on hand to present Best Supporting Actress in 2001, giving Julie Walters the award for Billy Elliot.
After Julie’s heartfelt acceptance speech the talk continued backstage, with Mariella Frostrup asking the star how she felt about winning the award.
Yet chaos ensued when Tom was invited over to join the chat, with the actor inadvertently labelling Julie ‘old’ and waving his cue cards across the screen.
With Julie struggling to answer any questions. Mariella decided it would be best to end the interview, leaving the pair in hysterics.
Nightmare: Rebel Wilson’s BAFTA presenting gig did not go down well with viewers – with the audience also left groaning during her appearance at the event in 2022
Horror show: Wilson was branded the worst BAFTA host ever – a number of jokes including this boob gag failed to hit the mark
Rebel Wilson goes too far – 2022
The BBC were forced to issue an apology after viewers were left offended by Rebel Wilson’s opening monologue at the 2022 BAFTAs.
The Australian actress raised eyebrows with her outlandish comments and X-rated gags where she took aim at the likes of Harry and Meghan and Benedict Cumberbatch.
One joke dubbed too crude for broadcast came at the expense of Daniel Craig as Rebel declared she’d like to ‘sit on’ the James Bond star.
She also took a swipe at JK Rowling when discussing her weight loss as she joked the Harry Potter author would not approve of her physical ‘transformation’, referencing the writer’s comments on transgender issues.
Well done: At the age of 13, Jodie Foster made history when she picked up not just one, but two BAFTAs at the 1997 ceremony
https://youtube.com/watch?v=o7yb9UoHVt8%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
Jodie Foster makes history – 1977
At the age of 13, Jodie Foster made history when she picked up not just one, but two BAFTAs at the 1997 ceremony.
The teenager wowed the industry with her work in Bugsy Malone and Taxi Driver, which saw her awarded Best Supporting Actress and Most Promising Newcomer.
The actress bounded onto the stage to pick up her gong and gave a sweet speech thanking everyone for believing in her.
It was a moment that she referenced 15 years later when she was honoured for the third time at the BAFTAs, after winning Best Actress for Silence of the Lambs in 1992.
Funny: Jack Nicholson was away filming One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest when he decided to speak to BAFTA viewers from the set of the new film after winning Best Actor in 1975
Jack Nicholson is ‘sectioned’ – 1975
Jack Nicholson wasn’t able to pick up his Best Actor award for The Last Detail and Chinatown in person but that didn’t stop him from delivering a hell of a speech.
As the actor was away filming One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest he decided to speak to BAFTA viewers from the set of the new film, pretending he’d been sectioned at a mental health facility.
With co-stars such as Danny DeVito acting like patients in the background, Jack shocked audiences by smashing a glass window before being pulled away by a ‘nurse’.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest later won a whopping six BAFTAs, including Best Actor for Jack and Best Film.
Banter: Taking to the stage at the 55th British Academy Film Awards, a youthful Jamie Bell couldn’t resist making a cheeky quip after winning Best Actor in a Leading Role
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-ZvCDX_Lvds%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
Jamie Bell Wins Leading Actor… at the age of 14 – 2001
These days he’s a well established star, but in 2001 Jamie Bell was a promising young actor with a bright future, owed in no small part to his starring role in musical drama Billy Elliot.
The performance went on to earn him a Leading Actor award at the tender age of 14 after being nominated alongside acting luminaries Russell Crowe, Michael Douglas, Tom Hanks and Geoffrey Rush.
Taking to the stage at the 55th British Academy Film Awards, a youthful Bell couldn’t resist making a cheeky quip at their expense.
‘Russell Crowe said that I had to thank him!’ he announced during a hilarious acceptance speech.
Wild: After he won Best Supporting Actor for that his role in Midnight Express, John Hurt took a swing at a photographer, missed and ended up on sprawled on the floor
John Hurt swinging punches in the not-so-swinging ’70s – 1979
In his drinking days, John Hurt mixed with such hellraisers as Peter O’Toole, Richard Harris and Oliver Reed.
He once said that to get into character for Midnight Express, he drank seven bottles of wine a day.
After he won Best Supporting Actor for that role, he took a swing at a photographer, missed and ended up on sprawled on the floor.
They don’t make ’em like that any more!
Messy: The prestigious ceremony very nearly turned into a foam party in 2002 after a torrential rain storm turned the red carpet into a treacherous mess of soap suds
Not in the script: Actress Samantha Bond’s shoes were covered in soap suds as she posed for photos as the event
The worst possible soap opera – 2002
A foam party was the last thing anyone expected when the 56th British Academy Film Awards got underway in 2002.
But the prestigious ceremony very nearly turned into one after a torrential rain storm turned the red carpet into a treacherous mess of soap suds.
Those attending the event in Leicester Square were forced to clean their shoes after walking through the unexpected thick layer of foam.
The disaster prompted guest Kevin Spacey to joke that Dame Judi Dench had ruined her shoes and was holding BAFTA organisers personally responsible.
In response, host Stephen Fry quipped: ‘I think it’s the years of greasy flattery given to actors which is finally bubbling up.’
Elizabeth Hurley steals the show – 1995
Here she comes: Elizabeth Hurley rose to the challenge of upstaging her boyfriend Hugh Grant by appearing at the 1995 BAFTA Awards in a tight pink John Galliano frock
Just as no one thought she could top her safety-pin dress, Liz rose to the challenge of upstaging her boyfriend Hugh Grant by hopping down the stairs to the BAFTA stage in a tight pink John Galliano frock — leaving everybody in no doubt that she was braless.
Flustered compere Billy Connolly spluttered: ‘That should be an Olympic event: jiggling,’ then went off on a surreal tangent about attaching a hurdle to each breast.
Hugh won the Best Actor gong that night for Four Weddings — but hardly anyone noticed as they were so busy gawping at Liz.
‘Lack of diversity’: Creatives of Colour Network staged a demonstration at London’s Royal Opera House ahead of the BAFTA Awards in 2016
Standing up: The debate over its predominantly white list of nominees sparked a protest, with a demonstration held outside the venue
BAFTA blackout and the ongoing diversity debate – 2016
The ceremony was overshadowed by controversy in 2016 after protestors demonstrated outside Royal Opera House over a perceived lack of diversity among nominees.
While Idris Elba and John Boyega – who subsequently won the Rising Star award – were both acknowledged for their respective roles in Beast Of A Nation and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, questions were asked over the event’s remaining contenders.
The debate over its predominantly white list of nominees sparked a protest by the Creatives of Colour Network, who held a demonstration outside the venue with placards and banners.
More drama: A group of female protesters wearing ‘Time’s Up’ T-shirts invaded the red carpet at the 2018 ceremony
The protesting women linked arms and lie on the red carpet before they were ushered away by security
‘Time’s up Theresa!’ – 2018
A group of female protesters wearing ‘Time’s Up’ T-shirts invaded the red carpet at the 2018 ceremony.
The women were dressed in black as part of the ‘BAFTA blackout’, chanting ‘sisters, united, we’ll never be defeated’.
They hijacked the Time’s Up movement – which came to the fore in the wake of the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal – by wearing ‘Time’s Up Theresa’ t-shirts, a reference to then Prime Minster Theresa May.
Protesting against domestic violence and calling on the Prime Minister to do more, they linked arms and lay on the red carpet, leading to them being ushered away by security guards.
Viewers in the UK can watch the show at 7pm on BBC One or iPlayer this Sunday.
International viewers should check out the BAFTA website for a list of channels and streaming services showing the ceremony outside the UK.
Here we go: The biggest night in British film is just around the corner, with the 76th annual BAFTAs taking place on Sunday night
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