Top 10 Unforgettable Baftas Moments: From Pigs to Punch-Ups
Ahead of this Sunday's Bafta awards ceremony, we look back at the most shocking, hilarious, and bizarre moments that have defined the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards over the years. While often overshadowed by the Oscars, the Baftas have delivered their fair share of memorable incidents, from celebrity outbursts to unusual guests.
10. Russell Crowe's Edited Poem Sparks Fury (2002)
Typically, the Baftas feature fewer iconic moments than other major awards shows, partly because the ceremony is not broadcast live, offering only edited highlights. However, in 2002, Russell Crowe's acceptance speech for A Beautiful Mind was entirely cut from the broadcast. Crowe had chosen to recite Patrick Kavanagh's poem Sanctity, which dragged on excessively. Upon discovering the edit, Crowe confronted the show's director at the afterparty, pinning him against a wall, using offensive language, and allegedly kicking chairs across the room in a fit of rage.
9. John Hurt's Photographer Confrontation (1989)
In 1989, the Baftas were broadcast live, but the most notable event occurred in the bar afterward. Actor John Hurt, apparently intoxicated, screamed "Fuck off or I'll kill you" at a group of 30 photographers before attempting to fight them. The incident produced dramatic photographs, and Hurt remained unapologetic, telling the Daily Express the next day, "I'm a bad, bad boy, and I love it."
8. #BaftaSoWhite Controversies (2017, 2020, 2023)
Awards shows frequently face criticism for lack of diversity, but the Baftas have been particularly scrutinized. In 2017, when only white nominees were recognized in key categories like best actor and best director, the hashtag #BaftaSoWhite trended on social media. This prompted Bafta to implement reforms, including expanding membership and introducing unconscious bias training. Despite these efforts, the hashtag resurfaced in 2020 and again in 2023, highlighting ongoing challenges.
7. A Pig Attends as Guest of Honour (1996)
The 1996 Baftas featured an unusual guest: a piglet, seated next to its handler. Many assumed it was from the film Babe, released that year, but this was impossible since the production used 48 different pigs, all of which would have grown too large by the ceremony. Essentially, a random pig was brought to the event, and no one questioned it.
6. Joanna Lumley's Awkward Monologue (2019)
Joanna Lumley, a beloved figure, hosted the 2019 awards but struggled with comedy. Her opening monologue consisted of awkward jokes, such as telling Steve Coogan, "That's another fine dress you've got me into," and commenting to Spike Lee about his film's success at a fictional "Klan Film Festival." The routine met with silence and pitying looks, leading Bafta to omit most of it from their YouTube upload.
5. Jack Nicholson's Unconventional Acceptance (1975)
In 1975, Jack Nicholson won the best leading actor Bafta for both Chinatown and The Last Detail, but he was absent due to filming One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. As an apology, he sent a video dressed as his character Randle McMurphy, smashing a window and acting erratically before being dragged away by a nurse, creating one of the most memorable acceptance clips ever.
4. The Foamy Red Carpet Disaster (2002)
Bafta's tradition of hosting a winter ceremony in London often leads to chilly conditions, but in 2002, rain reacted with flame-retardant chemicals on the red carpet, creating a foamy mess. Celebrities had to navigate what resembled a foam party, with reports that it ruined Dame Judi Dench's shoes, adding insult to injury.
3. Louis Malle Praises British Food (1975)
Director Louis Malle won best film in 1975 but used his 26-second speech not to reflect on his career, but to praise the food. He stated that despite warnings from "about 265 people" that it would be "the worst meal of my life," he found it "a very good meal," offering a rare culinary compliment.
2. Costly Astronaut Acrobats (2019)
In 2019, Bafta commissioned Cirque du Soleil to perform a moon landing-themed dance, likely due to First Man being an awards contender. However, the film was largely snubbed, leaving an expensive setpiece based on a non-winning movie, a mistake Bafta has since avoided.
1. Ariana DeBose's Baffling Rap (2023)
Topping the list is Ariana DeBose's 2023 musical number, which began as a celebration of women but evolved into a personalized rap naming every female nominee. Lines like "Charlotte Wells we love Aftersun" and "Angela Bassett did the thing!" were delivered with energetic confusion, culminating in a moment described as "the best thing ever to be televised."
The 79th Bafta awards ceremony airs on 22 February on BBC One, promising more potential for unforgettable moments.
