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| Stephen Fry steps down as host of Bafta film awards | Stephen Fry steps down as host of Bafta film awards |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Stephen Fry has announced he is stepping down as host of the Bafta film awards to let others have a go. | Stephen Fry has announced he is stepping down as host of the Bafta film awards to let others have a go. |
| Fry said it was time to call it a day after two stints in which he hosted the annual ceremony a total 12 times. “What fun it will be to watch Bafta 2018 without my heart hammering, mouth drying and knees trembling,” he said. | Fry said it was time to call it a day after two stints in which he hosted the annual ceremony a total 12 times. “What fun it will be to watch Bafta 2018 without my heart hammering, mouth drying and knees trembling,” he said. |
| His replacement will be announced next Tuesday, on the same day that this year’s category nominees are revealed. | His replacement will be announced next Tuesday, on the same day that this year’s category nominees are revealed. |
| Possible names include Jonathan Ross, who presented between 2007-11, and Graham Norton, who presents the Bafta TV awards. Ladbrokes has made Norton 5-4 favourite, although there may be raised eyebrows if the ceremony is hosted, yet again, by a white man. | Possible names include Jonathan Ross, who presented between 2007-11, and Graham Norton, who presents the Bafta TV awards. Ladbrokes has made Norton 5-4 favourite, although there may be raised eyebrows if the ceremony is hosted, yet again, by a white man. |
| Others possibilities include Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman (2-1), Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc (8-1), and Emma Thompson (14-1). | Others possibilities include Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman (2-1), Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc (8-1), and Emma Thompson (14-1). |
| In a statement, Fry said: “Every one of the 12 Bafta film award ceremonies that I had the privilege of hosting has a place in my memory. The mixture of glamour, glory, drama and – occasionally – embarrassment and hiccup holds a unique place in the British film calendar. | In a statement, Fry said: “Every one of the 12 Bafta film award ceremonies that I had the privilege of hosting has a place in my memory. The mixture of glamour, glory, drama and – occasionally – embarrassment and hiccup holds a unique place in the British film calendar. |
| “Over the last two decades I have especially loved watching the emergence of new young film talent behind and in front of the camera. But after so long a time I felt it only right to stand down and let others take the Baftas on to new heights and greater glories.” | “Over the last two decades I have especially loved watching the emergence of new young film talent behind and in front of the camera. But after so long a time I felt it only right to stand down and let others take the Baftas on to new heights and greater glories.” |
| Amanda Berry, Bafta’s chief executive, thanked Fry for making each ceremony he had presented “such memorable and joyous occasions”. She added: “We will miss him tremendously.” | Amanda Berry, Bafta’s chief executive, thanked Fry for making each ceremony he had presented “such memorable and joyous occasions”. She added: “We will miss him tremendously.” |
| The job of hosting high-profile award ceremonies is not for the faint-hearted. | The job of hosting high-profile award ceremonies is not for the faint-hearted. |
| One mistake or ill-judged comment can be amplified to ridiculous heights as Fry found to his cost when, in 2016, he made a quip about costume designer Jenny Beavan after she had picked up her award for her costumes in Mad Max: Fury Road. “Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to an awards ceremony dressed as a bag lady,” he said. | One mistake or ill-judged comment can be amplified to ridiculous heights as Fry found to his cost when, in 2016, he made a quip about costume designer Jenny Beavan after she had picked up her award for her costumes in Mad Max: Fury Road. “Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to an awards ceremony dressed as a bag lady,” he said. |
| After a backlash on Twitter, Fry responded: “Will all you sanctimonious fuckers fuck the fuck off Jenny Beavan is a friend and joshing is legitimate. Christ I want to leave the planet.” He then quit Twitter but returned about five months later. | After a backlash on Twitter, Fry responded: “Will all you sanctimonious fuckers fuck the fuck off Jenny Beavan is a friend and joshing is legitimate. Christ I want to leave the planet.” He then quit Twitter but returned about five months later. |
| Bafta also announced that this year’s ceremony, taking place on 18 February, will be held for a second year at the Royal Albert Hall in London and will feature a performance by Cirque du Soleil. |