Graham Norton to host 2020 BAFTA film awards

Yahoo Movies UK
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Graham Norton attends the After Party dinner for the House of Fraser British Academy Television Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel on May 10, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images)
Graham Norton attends the After Party dinner for the House of Fraser British Academy Television Awards, 2015. (David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Graham Norton will take over from Joanna Lumley as host of the film Baftas.

The chat show host, 56, has made his mark presenting the TV Baftas several times in the last 15 years. But the comedian will now host the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2020 for the first time.

He takes over from Lumley, who fronted the show for two years, and her predecessor Stephen Fry.

Lumley drew mixed reviews from viewers at this year's ceremony and some criticism for a quip about the Ku Klux Klan while referring to Spike Lee’s film BlacKkKlansman.

The overnight TV audience dropped by half a million viewers.

Norton said: "I'm delighted to be taking the helm of the biggest night in British film, the audience at the Royal Albert Hall will be the biggest sofa I've ever faced.

"I'm honoured to be following in the fabulous footsteps of Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley."

Read more: Jennifer Lawrence criticised for Lumley snub

Bafta chief executive Amanda Berry said Norton "will bring his brilliance and unique brand of humour to the role".

She added: "The film awards is transmitted around the world, and those audiences know him too.

"With Graham as our host I have no doubt we will deliver a very special celebration of the very best in film, and pay tribute to the most talented and creative people both in front of and behind the camera."

Host Graham Norton with (seated left to right) Ian McKellen, Julie Andrews, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon during the filming for the Graham Norton Show at BBC Studioworks 6 Television Centre, Wood Lane, London, to be aired on BBC One on Friday evening. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)
Host Graham Norton with (seated left to right) Ian McKellen, Julie Andrews, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon during the filming for the Graham Norton Show. (Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)

Controller of BBC entertainment Kate Phillips said: "Graham's wit and charisma has made him one of the UK's most successful television show hosts and I could not think of a better person to pick up the baton from the absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley."

Nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards will be revealed in January.

Read more: Cineworld withdraws BAFTA support

The ceremony will be held at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday February 2, with a performance from Cirque du Soleil, and broadcast on BBC One.

Nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards will be revealed on 7th January 2020, following the EE Rising Star nominations on 6th January 2020.

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