‘Boil In A Bag’ And Five Other Bafta TV Moments

The Bafta TV awards were held on an exceptionally hot day, featuring tears, surprises, and even parasols.
The event is now concluded, unveiling all the winners and losers.
The final seasons of Happy Valley and Top Boy received multiple awards, alongside special accolades for Baroness Floella Benjamin and daytime TV personality Lorraine Kelly.

Here are six other notable moments from this year’s ceremony;

1. ‘Boil in a bag’ ensembles
   Many celebrities opted for loose-fitting attire to combat the scorching sun at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
   Comedian Joe Lycett, however, defied the norm by arriving dressed as Queen Elizabeth I in a white cape and gown with a ruff around his neck.
   Despite carrying two fans – one manual and one battery-powered – the heat got to him. Lycett amusingly described his silver outfit as “boil in a bag.”
   He even generously applied sun cream not just on himself but also on TV critic Scott Bryan on the red carpet, leaving Bryan surprised but pleased with the outcome.
   Lycett later clinched the award for best entertainment performance for his show Late Night Lycett.
   Onstage, he humorously announced: “I lost a bet, I’m so hot, and I need a pee,” while thanking his parents and playfully mentioning Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.

1. Matthew Perry honored
   The late Matthew Perry, popularly known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in Friends, was fondly remembered during the ceremony. Clips of some of his most iconic scenes from Friends were showcased to the audience.
   The In Memoriam segment also paid tribute to figures like talk show host, Sir, Michael Parkinson, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional Robin Windsor, journalist Emily Morgan, newsreader George Alagiah, and Hairy Biker Dave Myers.
2. Mixed reception for the hosts
   Comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, hosting the ceremony for the second time, had a busy night. In addition to presenting awards, they also secured a win for their show Rob and Romesh VS.
   Their opening remarks to celebrities about acceptance speeches set the tone for the evening, with humorous jabs at various topics. However, while some viewers appreciated their jokes, others found them cringeworthy and awkward.
3. Abundance of political statements
   Several stars made political statements on the red carpet at the awards. Brian Cox, known for his role as Logan Roy in Succession, sported a red pin symbolizing a call for a Gaza ceasefire. Similarly, actor Steve Coogan, nominated for his portrayal of Jimmy Savile, wore the same red pin.
   Khalid Abdalla, renowned for his role as Dodi Fayed in The Crown, also displayed the red pin while advocating for children affected by conflicts in Gaza.
4. Graceful losers
   Actress Hannah Waddingham gracefully responded to losing the best entertainment award by taking a sip from a bracelet-flask and raising it in a cheers gesture, winning admiration from fans.
   Waddingham later celebrated a victory when the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in which she was involved, secured the best live event coverage award.
5. Optimism for Eurovision
   Despite the UK’s recent Eurovision results, the team behind Eurovision 2023, which won the Bafta for best live event coverage, expressed hope for the UK’s future in the competition. Commentators Scott Mills and Andrew Cartmell remained positive, believing that a UK Eurovision win is not far off and will happen eventually.