Katrina Rees
It has been announced that Joanna Lumley will take over from Stephen Fry as the new host of the Baftas.
Last week, Stephen stepped down from the role after 12 years of hosting. He stated that it was “only right to stand down and let others take the Baftas on to new heights and greater glories.”
During the press conference which unveiled this year’s nominees earlier today, it was announced that Joanna would be the new host. Best known for playing Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous, Joanna, who received the Bafta Fellowship last year, will be the first female host since Mariella Frostrup co-presented in 2001.
Speaking about her new role, Joanna said: “Honestly, how exciting is this? It’s just so unbelievably thrilling. Who thought I’d turn into Stephen Fry? I want to thank Bafta so much for asking me to do this. I said yes indecently quickly.”
She added that she was delighted that “they chose me as a woman this year, because it’s 100 years since women got the vote – women over 30 I might add… which includes me”.
This year’s Baftas will take place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 18 February, with The Shape of Water leading the race with 12 nominations.
