BAFTAs 2018: Joanna Lumley replaces Stephen Fry as host - ‘I said yes indecently quickly’
JOANNA LUMLEY has been revealed as Stephen Fry’s replacement as host of the BAFTA film awards 2018.
Joanna Lumley revealed as the new host of the BAFTAs
Fry revealed his departure last week, leading to fervent speculation as to who would replace him.
Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman had been touted as favourites but it’s Joanna Lumley - who hadn’t even registered on the radar of most bookies - who has emerged as the presenter of choice.
Speaking this morning, she said: “Honestly, how exciting is this? It’s so unbelievably thrilling.
“I always looked at the BAFTAs with Stephen Fry forever more.”
Joanna Lumley will host this year's BAFTAs
Lumley will host the event in February
She added: “It’s funny because I’ve been voting for BAFTA for so long and knowing the 6,500 people are too - and yet every year when you hear them coming up, some of you is thinking ‘oh yes’, or ‘oh no they left that out’!
“I said yes indecently quickly, thank you.”
This year’s nominations see twelve nods for The Shape of Water, while Darkest Hour and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri emerge in nine apiece.
Blade Runner 2049 and Dunkirk each received eight nominations, while I, Tonya has five, Call Me By Your Name and Phantom Thread have four, and Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool, Lady Bird and Paddington 2 have three.
Fry announced his departure last week
Notable omissions include The Disaster Artist, which won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for James Franco at the Golden Globes but does not pop up at all here.
Battle of the Sexes, which earned Golden Globes attention for Emma Stone and Steve Carrell, is also absent.
The BAFTAs will take place on Sunday 18 February.