Bafta TV Awards 2025, BBC One review: Alan Cumming turned the Festival Hall into a laugh-free zone
Cumming kicked off with a skit about his day job as the face of The Traitors USA – a gag which might have struck a chord on the far side of the Atlantic but which, airing on BBC, was a reminder of how much better Traitors UK presenter Claudia Winkleman is at the cloak and dagger stuff.
His introductory remarks were rich in smarm, low on wit. There was a gag about Prince Andrew docudrama Scoop not having any ice cream and Troubles thriller Say Nothing being full of people talking constantly. A vague ripple of titters passed around the room.
Comedy wise Cumming never got out of first gear. Most of the zingers revolved around the two television shows he seemed to have watched last year: Traitors and Jilly Cooper romp Rivals. He will have been relieved to see that the celebrities handing out awards weren't any funnier. One excruciating low point featured actors Daniel Mays and Russell Tovey giving shout-outs to random members of the public before naming Mr Bates winner of Best Limited Drama. Mid-routine, the camera had cut to a bored-looking David Mitchell and then to an even more disconsolate James Corden. He hadn't looked so glum since forced to apologise for being rude to that waiter in New York.
Musical guests seemed to have wandered in from next year's Brit Awards. Tom Grennan bashed out a song that asks the audience to imagine a mildly funkier Ed Sheeran. Then came Jessie J's big comeback as she made her first TV appearance in six years. Alas, the diva-like majesty of her power ballad was undermined slightly by the decision to have her start singing from the middle of the crowd – her performance accompanied by shots of audience members wandering back from the loo.
The TV Baftas are, by their very nature, less searingly glitzy than the movie ceremony. The film Baftas have the stars of Hollywood; its TV sibling, the cast of Taskmaster. Still, amid the slog, there were some memorable moments, including appearances at the podium by a tearful Marisa Abela (winning Leading Actress for Industry), Danny Dyer, Lennie James, Ruth Jones, and Strictly's Dianne Buswell – the latter accepting the Memorable Moment prize on behalf of herself and the show's 2024 winning celeb Chris McCausland. There was even a genuine shock when Belfast police drama Blue Lights scored Best Drama ahead of head-chopping costume extravaganza Wolf Hall.
The In Memoriam section featured a beautiful performance by violinist Esther Abrami as it marked the passing of, among others, Michael Mosley, Henry Kelly, Tony Slattery, and original Shōgun actor Richard Chamberlain. Winning the Best Daytime category for his Caribbean Adventure, Clive Myrie, for his part, asked the industry to support the struggling independent sector.
Earlier, Mr Bates vs the Post Office's producer, Patrick Spence, had praised viewers for responding to the dramatisation of the scandal in which hundreds of sub-postmasters were falsely accused of theft. 'They showed in their responses we cannot abide liars and bullies,' he said. It was an all-too-rare display of genuine emotion in an evening full of sparkle but sadly lacking in substance. If he's asked back, Cumming should consider packing his joke book next time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon's life off-screen from failed marriage to net worth
Welsh actor Rob Brydon, 60, is best known for his role in Gavin and Stacey, but he'll be showing a very different side to himself in the BBC's new gameshow Destination X Rob Brydon is set to reveal a completely different side to himself in an exciting new gameshow. The Welsh star, 60, is presenting the BBC's Destination X, which sees 13 strangers embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they compete for £100,000. As they travel across Europe, attempting to identify their location using cryptic and peculiar clues, Rob accompanies them. "I've never done anything in television with that scale. We go all over Europe to some fantastic places, so the appeal was working on a show of that scale," he revealed ahead of the programme's debut. Discussing what his fresh role involves, and having drawn inspiration from Claudia Winkleman on The Traitors, he joked that he's become a "fashion icon", saying: "I've been more experimental with my wardrobe than in the past and that can only be a treat," reports Wales Online. With Destination X launching on screens tonight, here's everything you need to know about presenter Rob.... The comedian, presenter, and singer, who was appointed an MBE in 2013 for services to comedy and broadcasting and for charitable services, rose to fame in the black comedy series Human Remains, the mockumentary series Marion and Geoff, the chat show spoof The Keith Barret Show, and the comedy series Supernova. His most well-known role is Uncle Bryn in Ruth Jones and James Corden's sitcom Gavin and Stacey, but Rob has also starred in several films, including with Steve Coogan in 24 Hour Party People and The Trip franchise, as well as Cinderella and Barbie. Since 2009, he has presented the BBC One comedy panel show Would I Lie To You? And previously presented his own late-night chat show, The Rob Brydon Show. But what about his private life away from screens? Rob was born in 1965 in Baglan, Glamorgan, to a school teacher mother and a car dealer father, and was the eldest of two sons. He was educated at private schools before attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff and beginning his career in radio. In an interview with The Independent in 2011, Rob spoke about his upbringing and his parents, saying: "They were always very supportive of their son wanting a career in show business; I don't think they ever thought twice about it, which gave me great confidence." Who is Rob Brydon married to? Rob is married to his current wife, Clare Holland, with whom he shares two sons. The couple, who married in 2006, live in London. The actor also shares three children, two sons and a daughter, with his ex-wife, whom he married in 1992 and split from in 2000. Rob has previously been open about the heartbreak from his divorce and the impact it had on his mental health. Rob met his ex-partner, Martina Fitchie, in a Cardiff pub while working alongside her producer sister at Radio Wales. They moved to London and raised three children together, but after their split, Rob said, according to The Express: "You lose excitement with marriage. You can't have everything, though." He revealed he'd felt "derailed" and "lost" after his divorce, saying: "I'd been married, with three children, then that goes. All the stage posts in your life, the boundaries that there are, they vanish. "It just came to an end. It was just two people who said, 'Right, this isn't working, ' so we ended it. We did it in as civilised a manner as we could. We both wanted it to happen." Rob has also spoken about how much he loves being a dad and surrounded by his family. "I've got five kids, aged between 18 and two," he told The Daily Mail in 2017. "As they get older and start going off and doing their own thing, I find I'm happiest at big family occasions when everyone is there. "Either that or when I've been drinking heavily. I didn't start drinking until my mid-30s, so I get drunk remarkably quickly." What is Rob Brydon's net worth? According to Rob's net worth is $8million (£6million). His life changed after the mockumentary Marion and Geoff, with Rob later saying, "The thing that changed my life, work-wise, was a show called Marion and Geoff. "I was a Welsh taxi driver called Keith Barret who told you about his wife now. "He was a naive person like Bryn. He was a big-hearted person like Bryn; it's not a million miles away from Bryn.'' Destination X airs from 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta Jones and Billie Piper stun as they lead stars at Wednesday season two London premiere
THE CREEPY and kooky stars of Netflix smash-hit Wednesday put their best foot forward when it came to their fashion as they took over London's Westminster. Celebrating the launch of the second season of the Addams Family spin-off, leading ladies including Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta Jones and newcomer Billie Piper left fans stunned with the fashion choices. 17 17 17 Jenna, who leads the cast as the titular tearaway teen, did away with Wednesday's love of black and instead hit the red carpet in a gold-coloured skin tight dress. Wearing her hair straight and pulled back from her face in a uniquely styled bobble ponytail, Jenna wore dark make-up to contrast against the light coloured gown. The dress, which bore a faint snake print as it pressed against her figure, was comprised of a bodice tied up from a back and a sheer skirt that dropped from a shorter, formation skirt underneath. With the purple carpet rolled out and creepy black gates framing the walkway, Jenna's arrival capped off an impressive turnout for the show's stars. Most opted to keep within the show's macabre and gloomy theme, wearing black as they arrived at the premiere. Among them was Catherine Zeta-Jones, who quickly stole attention in a stand out black gown with a plunging back and neck line and silky black train behind her as she walked. The 55-year-old – who plays Wednesday's mother Morticia – looked stunning as she pulled her hair back into a high tight bun, with razor sharp eyeliner and a dark purple lip. Playing such an iconic character clearly has rubbed off on others, with Billie Piper arriving shortly after in a Morticia-inspired black bodyform dress with a cutaway neckline held together by string. Paying homage to Anjelica Huston's version of the character – which appeared in 90s movies The Addams Family and The Addams Family Values – Billie beamed as she shyly posed for cameras, keeping her bright orange her loose and wavy over her shoulders. Billie is one of the new additions to this year's 17 17 17 Wednesday cast- Who stars in Netflix series 17 17 17 17 17 17
Daily Mail
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jenna Ortega stuns in a semi-sheer snakeskin gown while Catherine Zeta Jones rocks a backless dress as they join co-star Billie Piper at Wednesday series two premiere in London
Jenna Ortega led the arrivals as the cast of Wednesday hit the red carpet for the premiere of the Netflix hit's second series. The actress, 22, was joined by her co-stars Catherine Zeta Jones and Billie Piper for the event which took place aptly on Wednesday evening at Central Hall Westminster. Walking the purple carpet, the cast all wore dramatic gothic-inspired ensembles in keeping with the series' theme. Jenna looked incredible in a semi-sheer snakeskin gown that featured a fishtail skirt and burnt edges. Catherine, 55, who stars as Addams family matriarch Morticia, wore a dramatic backless gown with a highneck and key-hole cut out. She teamed the ruffled number with a pair of sheer heels, pulled her hair up into a bun and topped off her look with dark makeup. Billie, 42, will play new character Isadora Capri in the series, and rocks a plunging gothic dress that laced up the front. Joanna Lumley, 79, who stars as Grandmama Frump, opted for an elegant gown with an embellish cape. The gothic comedy, which follows the antics of Wednesday Addams (played by Jenna), debuted on the streaming service in November 2022. It was quickly renewed for a second series in January 2023. Season two of Wednesday will hit Netflix on 6 August 2025. It is one in a series of takes over the years on The Addams Family, the eccentric fictional old-money clan, famously macabre and gothic in manner and look. The second series of the Emmy-winning programme, executive produced and often directed by horror icon Tim Burton, 66, is set for release in August. And now, it has been announced that not only will Wednesday be back for a third series, but a spin-off programme is currently under discussion, according to Hollywood Reporter. Fans were delighted to hear the fate of the beloved show has been secured, taking to social media to express their excitement. Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, who plays creepy matriarch Morticia Addams, posted on Instagram confirming the news: 'When Wednesday comes a better day. 'Wednesday season three. It's official... we shall return.' One fan wrote in the comments section: 'And for many more seasons.'; 'I love this because then they can start filming soon and it won't be such a long pause between seasons! Or that's the hope!' The second series was announced in January 2023, but by the time it comes out later this year, it will have been more than two years in the making. Other users wrote, 'Season three? Hold on!', and, 'I'm excited about this.' Someone else added: 'I'll be gripping the sheets in agony waiting but please... don't let us wait three years again.' Another commenter wrote: 'Shut up. Season three?! Amazing!' One penned: 'I can't wait to see the second season, I'm waiting for it with great curiosity... and the third is already official, fantastic news!' The first series of Wednesday follows the titular troublemaker character after she is expelled and transferred to Nevermore Academy, a school for monstrous outcasts. Her cool, creepy manner and rebellious streak often see her in trouble and struggling to fit in. But after she discovers she is a psychic like her mother and applies her skills to solving a local murder case, she soon finds her stride. The programme boasts an impressive regular cast, with Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie and Narcos' Luis Guzman also starring. They feature as Nevermore headteacher Larissa Weems and Wednesday's father, Gomez Addams, respectively. The upcoming second series looks to be even more star-studded, with Lady Gaga, Joanna Lumley, Steve Buscemi, and Thandiwe Newton also joining the cast. Star Jenna and director Tim also worked together on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the 2024 sequel to the original 1988 horror film starring Winona Ryder. And they have now told all about what fans can expect from the upcoming second series and the newly announced third instalment. Scream queen Jenna, who rose to fame in slashers Scream, X and Scream VI, was embroiled in controversy in recent months for comments she made during a podcast interview. She said she spent her time on the show 'changing lines' and 'had to put my foot down' because 'everything I had to play did not make sense for the character'. Jenna said she felt terrible about this and never meant it that way, simply meaning to say she improvised a lot and was permitted to. Tim sympathised with her, feeling the comments had been interpreted in a way she had not meant. But the pair revealed that after these events, Jenna is now a producer on the show. Co-creator Alfred Gough, who made the show with Miles Millar, said this made sense, as she is already so involved in every part of the show, as well as giving notes on the script, in a way he praised. Wednesday's first series pulled in a whopping 252million viewers globally, making it Netflix's biggest English-language series of all time. Alfred has now teased a spin-off: 'It's something we're definitely noodling; there are other characters we can look at.' Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria, meanwhile, added: 'There's a lot to explore in the Addams Family.' New cast member Joanna Lumley previously told Netflix news site Tudum: 'There's always something thrilling about working for Tim Burton. 'His whole mind takes him to a different world, and the world that they've created here for Wednesday and Nevermore and the family is just intoxicating. 'It's wonderful. I get to wear many, many huge wigs, one on top of the other — and lots of quite constraining clothes, so I love it.'
