Presenters confirmed for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards 2020

London, 27 July 2020: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced the line-up of guest presenters for the upcoming Virgin Media BAFTAs, which will air on BBC One at 19:00 BST on Friday 31 July 2020. 

Adrian Lester, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Greg Davies, Himesh Patel, Jessia Hynes, Joe Cole, Nina Sosanya, Paul Mescal, Sope Dirisu and Stacey Dooley will all join host Richard Ayoade in the studio, and will be on hand to announce this years’ winners.  

Richard will also be joined virtually by some of biggest names in television including Billy Porter, Chris O’Dowd, David Tennant, Jeff Goldblum, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Michael Sheen and Ruth Madeley, who will be presenting awards via video link. 

Audiences will also be treated to two performances from internationally-acclaimed comedian, musician, actor and writer Tim Minchin, including an original song composed specially for the event. 

Making his debut as host of the star-studded ceremony, Richard Ayoade will steer audiences through this years’ nominations, with nominees invited to get involved through video link-ups. Chernobyl, Fleabag, The Crown, Giri/Haji and The Virtues all lead the way with three nominations each - but who will be the big winners on the night? 

British actor, writer and producer Idris Elba will receive the Special Award, one of BAFTA’s highest accolades, in recognition of his exceptional career and commitment to championing diversity and new talent in the industry. There will also be some very special surprise guests dialing in to present his award on the night. 

The winner of the Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment Award will also be announced. As the only award to be voted for by the public, the Must-See Moment celebrates the dramatic scenes, cliff hangers and edge-of-your-seat moments that truly resonated with TV fans across the UK.

Ahead of the BBC One show, comedian Tom Allen will host the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Pre-Show, which will stream live on BAFTA’s social channels (Youtube, Twitter and Facebook) from 18:00 BST. Taking the place of the traditional red carpet programme, the show will feature interviews with nominees and celebrity guest presenters in-studio and via video link-up, including Adrian Lester, Callum Turner, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glenda Jackson, Jamie Demetriou, Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal, Richard Ayoade, Stacey Dooley and Stephen Graham, among others. Tom Allen will also be joined by Emily Atack to interview some of the nominees for the Virgin Media Must-See Moment.

Tune in to the Virgin Media BAFTAs on Friday 31 July from 19.00 BST on BBC One, and join the Virgin Media BAFTAs Pre-Show live streamed from 18:00 BST on BAFTAs social channels (Youtube, Twitter and Facebook). 

Viewers will get a special chance to see a more in-depth look at some of the awards presented at the Virgin Media BAFTAs 2020 by tuning into the BAFTA TV Awards: Extra Time programme on the BBC News Channel on 1 August at 00:30 BST, which will then be available on the BBC iPlayer, alongside the main awards show.

-ENDS-

 

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Notes to Editors:

The full nominations for this year’s awards can be found here

Photography is available at bafta.thirdlight.com

In line with BAFTA’s increased efforts around sustainability, the British Academy Television Awards ceremony 2020 and the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Pre-Show will be albert certified. Albert is the leading authority on environmental sustainability for film and television, and has been facilitated by BAFTA for the past 10 years. BAFTA is doing more than ever before to ensure sustainable practices, working towards a long term goal of having a net-positive impact on the environment.

 

For further information, please contact:

Amanda Hearn, Publicity Director - Television at Multitude Media:

M: 07950 803 771

E: [email protected]

 

Will Wood, Managing Director, Multitude Media:

M: 07817 014 515

E: [email protected]

 

Nora Dunne, Publicist, Multitude Media:
M: 07380 854 382
E: [email protected]

 

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