The comedian will host the ceremony on Sunday 27 May.
Comedian Dara O'Briain has been lined up to present this year’s British Academy Television Awards. The annual ceremony, honouring the very best television seen in Britain over the past year, will be held on Sunday 27 May at London’s Royal Festival Hall and broadcast on BBC One.
Dara, who will step into Graham Norton's BAFTA-hosting shoes whilst Graham presents the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “I'm delighted and honoured to be taking the reins at this year's British Academy Television Awards, in the prestigious role as the person who introduces the people who read out the winners of the awards. And if Adele wins anything, I promise I'll leave her well alone, no matter what time it is.”
Mark Linsey, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning commented: “We have called on Dara to front BAFTA’s Television Awards this year as Eurovision happens to fall on the same weekend, and we know he will do a magnificent job in Graham's absence.”
Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, added: “Dara is a fantastic supporter of BAFTA, and I know he will do a terrific job of hosting the Television Awards. The ceremony showcases the very best television programmes and performances of the last year, and with Dara at the helm I am sure it will be a truly wonderful event.”
For more information, please contact Dan Maynard at Freud Communications on 020 3003 6649 or [email protected]
Notes to Editors
About Dara O'Briain
Dara O'Briain is a stand-up comedian and television presenter, best known in the UK for hosting BBC’s Mock the Week, and BBC Two’s The Apprentice, You’re Fired and in Ireland for hosting RTÉ 2′s The Panel.
His UK TV credits include hosting Live Floor Show, Have I Got News For You, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Three Men in a Boat and Turn Back Time. He also regularly hosts The Empire Film Awards and the British Academy Video Games Awards.
Dara’s stand-up shows are regularly the biggest selling solo comedy events at the Edinburgh Fringe and his foray into the publishing world was also a success with his first book Tickling the English remaining in the charts for two years after release.
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org or www.bafta.org/guru.
