The much-awaited 2023 BAFTA Awards finally began with actors and actresses around the world donning their best outfits to attend the prestigious event and accept the honour for their respective works. 2023 BAFTA REd Carpet was a star-studded affair with almost everyone nominated attending the event in their best possible looks. BAFTA 2023 was started with host Richard E Grant making his grand yet delayed entry into a white cape amidst a massive applause with Prince William and Princess Kate in the audience. Richard E Grant officially started the BAFTA with a monologue over his white cape and 'delayed British Train'. However, Richard E Grant's monologue went one step higher when he took a dig at the Oscars 2022 by bringing the infamous Will Smith slap-gate incident.
The British actor told audiences that “on my watch no one gets slapped tonight” as he concluded his humorous remarks at the top of the show. For those who have forgotten, Will Smith stormed onto the stage during the 94th annual Academy Awards in March and slapped presenter Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The #EEBAFTAs have started and host @RichardEGrant is in the building! Are you tuned in to #BritBox and watching? pic.twitter.com/PpHQB6lIng
— BritBoxUS (@BritBox_US) February 19, 2023
Here's what Richard further said-
“In 2022, movie audiences were well and truly back and there has never been a better time to go to the cinema until right now.” He added: “Well, not right now, I’m trying my best and nobody on my watch gets slapped tonight… except on the back.” Grant also used the speech to seek work from the industry, reading out a comical resume and adding that his availability was “free from one minute past nine this evening”. “To each and everyone here tonight, I want you to know that my favourite film of the year is whichever one you made – it really touched me in a way that none of the others did,” he joked.
I mean, we'd hire you @RichardEGrant...in fact we kind of have. Have you seen Richard's performance in Suspect? #BritBox #EEBAFTAS pic.twitter.com/u5HVO7cN4j
— BritBoxUS (@BritBox_US) February 19, 2023
BAFTA Awards 2023: Prince William and Princess Kate steal the show on the red carpet; Watch
2023 BAFTA Awards India Streaming Details
The BAFTA Film Awards will stream exclusively on Lionsgate Play in India, the streamer announced on February 17. The 76th edition of the prestigious awards will stream at 12:30 am according to Indian Standard Time. It is pertinent to mention here that the awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 19, at 7 PM GMT at London’s Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall -- a shift from the awards' previous home of Royal Albert Hall - and will be live-streamed exclusively in India on 20th February from 12:30 AM IST onwards. Therefore, to watch BAFTA 2023 Live, fans should tune into Lionsgate Play on February 20th in India.