Richard E Grant makes slap joke in Baftas opening speech
Actor is hosting the ceremony for the first time this year
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Richard E Grant wasted no time referencing “The Slap” in his opening speech at the Baftas on Sunday night (19 February).
The Withnail and I actor, who is hosting this year’s ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, told the star-studded crowd: “Nobody on my watch gets slapped tonight – except on the back.”
Grant was referencing the notorious 2022 Oscars moment that saw Will Smith slap presenter Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
After the incident, Smith was forced to apologise and resigned as a member of the Academy. He did not, however, have to give up his Best Actor award for King Richard.
Last November, Smith made his first late-night talk show appearance since the Oscars fiasco, telling Trevor Noah on The Daily Show that he was “going through something that night”.
He attributed his actions to “bottled rage”.
Grant isn’t the only person who’s been cracking jokes about the slap at awards shows. Last month, Eddie Murphy referenced the incident at the Golden Globes.
Read the full list of this year’s Bafta winners, as they are announced, here.
War drama All Quiet on the Western Front led the nominations this year with a whopping 14 nods, followed by The Banshees of Inisherin and Everything Everywhere All at Once, which both got 10 each.
Following a two-year hiatus from the awards, Prince William and Kate Middleton are attending the 2023 ceremony.
The 2023 Baftas are being broadcast from 7 to 9pm on BBC One.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments