Baftas host Richard E Grant takes aim at A-list actors including Jab on Will Smith’s Oscars slap

RICHARD E. Grant used his Bafta presentation debut to make a series of crushing defeats – mostly at his own expense.

The star of cult classic comedy Withnail and I gave Will Smith a dig at Chris Rock at last year’s Academy Awards.

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Richard got his biggest laugh when he insisted, “No one under my supervision will be spanked tonight.”

And he told the star-studded audience at London’s Royal Festival Hall: “I know how difficult it is to get into this space.

“When you look at all these famous faces, remember that everyone here started with a stroke of luck.

“I got mine because another cast member passed on the role.

“My role on Withnail and I was turned down by a young actor named Daniel Day Lewis.

“A real Sliding Doors moment because I’m hosting the Baftas here tonight – while Daniel has only been in two films in the last ten years. . .”

Earlier in the show, which aired on BBC1, Richard was shown – in a white jacket – asking for advice on a Zoom call with American comedian Steve Martin.

Steve was heard saying to him, “Over the years hosting awards, I’ve narrowed it down to 1,000 steps.

“Don’t wear white. Don’t argue with Judi Dench – she’ll beat you up.

“Do not invest in Dame Helen Mirren’s cryptocurrency – she is a scammer.”

Steve’s last piece of advice was to tell Richard to arrive in the Batmobile.

In fact, earlier in the evening Richard was caught getting out of the muscle car from last year’s Robert Patinson blockbuster The Batman.

Richard, who was later joined on stage by ITV’S This Morning co-host Alison Hammond, told the audience: “Why did I take that gig?

“Firstly, it is a true privilege to host such a prestigious event.

“And second, with so many blinking industry players in one place, it’s a great opportunity to land acting jobs.”

The 65-year-old added: “Here’s my resume – um, I’m a little shaky.

“Surname? Richard E Grant. age of the actors? 30 to 50, with a touch of deepfaking.”

He continued, “Like every other actor here tonight, I can 100 percent ride a horse and wrestle a donkey.

“Accents? Cockney gangsters, French.”

Later, Richard, whose wife Joan Washington died in 2021, showed up during the “In Memoriam” section.

He was spotted off-screen wiping his eyes as he paid tribute to late stars such as Dame Angela Lansbury, Robbie Coltrane, Olivia Newton John and Raquel Welch, as well as composer Burt Bacharach.

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