BAFTA TV Awards hosts Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan took aim at Bradley and Barney Walsh during their opening monologue on Sunday night. The comedians didn’t hold back, cracking jokes about Liz Truss, NHS waiting times, and Vladimir Putin before turning their attention to the Gladiators presenters.
Beckett, 38, humorously stated, “We were all hooked on the gripping drama of Succession, waiting to see who would follow in their father’s footsteps. And it turns out, it was Barney Walsh,” prompting laughter from the audience, including Ant and Dec and actress Susan Wokoma.
Barney, 26, who hosted the Gladiators reboot last year and has appeared alongside his father on ITV’s Bradley Walsh and Son: Breaking Dad since 2019, found himself at the center of the comedic banter.
Beckett and Ranganathan continued to entertain as they took jabs at Lorraine Kelly, Claudia Winkleman from Strictly Come Dancing, and the creators of Netflix’s The Crown. Ranganathan cheekily remarked, “The brilliant Top Boy has been nominated for three awards this year. It’s a show full of guns, laundered money, and drugs. Incidentally, all things that are on Lorraine Kelly’s rider.”
Discussing Apple TV’s thriller Slow Horses, Ranganathan added, “I love Gary Oldman’s character, anyone who isn’t afraid of farting on national TV is fine by me… speaking of which, Claudia Winkleman is here.”
The hosts also couldn’t resist poking fun at The Crown, saying, “The producers of The Crown are hoping to take home four Baftas this evening. Which will make up for the fact they are never, ever, ever getting an MBE.”
Among the winners of the night were Top Boy, which won Best Drama Series, and Jasmine Jobson, who took home the Best Supporting Actress award. Sarah Lancashire won Best Leading Actress for her role in Happy Valley, and the series also received the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award. Strictly Come Dancing was named Best Entertainment Show, and Lorraine Kelly was honored with the BAFTA Special Award for her 40-year career.
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