The Back garden Baftas
Elba, Strictly and Gilligan among winners as stars take part from their own homes
TELLY stars swapped the red carpet for their back gardens last night as the BAFTAs were dished out in a virtual ceremony. Many were left nervously waiting on Zoom calls as the results were revealed in an eerie, quiet studio by host Richard Ayoade and invited guests. Luther star Idris Elba picked up a special award and told how he was “thankful” to be given a start in TV when he appeared in a Crimewatch reconstruction in the 90s. The 47-year-old, who went on to star in The Wire, said: “It was the first rung on the ladder. “A lot of actors don’t like to admit they did Crimewatch but I’m not embarrassed.” Strictly Come Dancing, which returns in the autumn, won the Entertainment Programme gong. Host Tess Daly said: “This is such an honour and the second time we have won in 17 series. It’s for the whole team who work so hard.” The Entertainment Performance award went to Mo Gilligan for his Channel 4 series The Lateish Show. There were also shocks as some big names missed out. Supporting Actress went to Naomi Acke for her part in drama The End of the F***ing World – beating Helena Bonham Carter for The Crown. Naomi said: “Oh man, are you serious? My dad has been so supportive and I know my mum up in the clouds would be so proud.” Will Sharpe won Supporting Actor for BBC2’s Giri/Haji, beating talent including The Crown’s Josh O’Connor. Tearful Sian Clifford beat her co-star and Fleabag writer Phoebe WallerBridge to the Female Performance in a Comedy award. She said: “I don’t believe in competition. Thank you so much. This is so stupid and weird.” IT Crowd star Ayoade hosted the awards from a closed studio. Normal People actors Daisy EdgarJones and Paul Mescal joined as guest hosts, while stars including Greg Davies, David Tennant, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Sheen and Kermit the Frog helped out virtually. Nominees took part through video link-ups and pre-recorded speeches. Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, 27, tuned in from a barbecue, posting: “I’ve swapped the Royal Festival Hall for a BBQ in the back garden.”