Alan Cumming's BAFTA TV awards stint has viewers all saying same thing

Daily Record

12-05-2025

Alan Cumming hosted the 2025 BAFTA TV awards on Sunday and many viewers had some questions about the Scots star's presenting skills.
Viewers have flooded social media to say cast their opinion on Alan Cumming as host of the Bafta awards on Sunday night. And many at home were left questioning if the Scots star had taken inspiration for his style on the night ffrom Billy Connolly 's 'incontinence trousers'.
Fans questioned Cummings presentation skills, calling him boring and self-obsessed. The US Traitors presenter, who has starred in films including X-Men 2 and The Flintstones Viva Las Vegas, made four costume changes during the awards show but it seems fans were more interested in the fact he was appearing 'boring' and 'self-obsessed'.
‌
Cumming presented the event held at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday at which winners included Mr Loverman's Lennie James, Baby Reindeer's Jessica Gunning and Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
‌
But the actor, 60, left some viewers irritated by his self-congratulatory behaviour after he opened with a series of innuendos, including: 'I'm popping my Bafta cherry with you all tonight. So, be gentle Britain.'
Donning a shiny blue suit with significantly flared trousers, he then read from a children's storybook riffing at the common mistakes made by actors when accepting awards, including bringing too many people on stage and taking too long with their acceptance speeches.
'This host is ridiculously bad,' wrote one person on X/Twitter as Cumming opened the event.
'Of all the brilliantly funny hosts in a very large talent pool, you choose Alan Cumming? Why?' wrote another.
One viewer added: 'Alan Cumming making it increasingly difficult to carry on watching this.'
Others noticed that the host made several nods to his presenting duties.
‌
'Will there be a reference to Traitors by Alan Cumming before every award?' asked one exasperated viewer.
Some were also distracted the star's statement trousers and 'terrible' suit.
One referred to a Billy Connolly stage routine in which the Big Yin once talked of inventing trousers like incontinence pants to hold people's urine.
‌
'WTF is Alan Cumming wearing? He looks like a mash up between Del Boy and Elton John,' hit out one Bafta viewer while another compared the trousers to 'Billy Connolly's incontinence phishing trousers'.
Another joked: 'I see that Alan Cumming is hosting the TV awards tonight. I'm assuming he is wearing that sparkly blue suit for a reason. It must be to prepare himself in the role of Nightcrawler for Avengers: Doomsday.'
Another wrote: 'Alan Cumming turned the Festival Hall into a laugh-free zone. Switched Off After Two Minutes!'
‌
Taking to social media, one viewer penned: "possibly the worst presenter EVER #baftas. Just get on with it.... #baftas #BAFTA2025'; 'Oh get on with it love #BAFTAS."
One wrote: 'Immediate turn off is Alan Cummings hosting the Baftas.'
Another said: 'Possibly the worst presenter ever'.
‌
But not everyone was disappointed.
One viewer asked: 'Can I just say I loved Alan Cumming's story book moment at the start of the Bafta awards.'
Others said the actor's hosting had led to one of the most memorable ceremonies ever.
'So far, this has been one of the best Baftas. Alan Cumming is brilliant, doesn't drone on for too long and is genuinely entertaining. Great speeches too. They've got it spot on," they said.
Another agreed, writing: 'This is the best #Baftas show I've ever seen - largely due to Alan Cumming. Still, it's been funny, emotional, and a pleasant change from normal awards shows.'