BBC reporter criticised for 'disturbing' Baftas question to Andrew Scott

What did you miss?

Andrew Scott walked away from a BBC reporter on the Baftas red carpet following an awkward question that has been branded "disturbing", "shocking" and "inappropriate".

The All Of Us Strangers star looked confused when BBC Entertainment Correspondent Colin Paterson began quizzing him on his opinion of rival nominated film Saltburn and Barry Keoghan's performance in the final scene. But when the line of questioning veered towards Keoghan's manhood, it became too much for Scott.

The live interview has now come under heavy criticism, with some even branding it homophobic.

What, how, and why?

Irish actor Scott attended the Baftas where both his film All Of Us Strangers and Saltburn were in the running for the Outstanding British Film award, as well as being nominated in several other categories. He chatted to reporters on the red carpet, where BBC Entertainment Correspondent Paterson asked him: "Do you know Barry [Keoghan] well?" Scott smiled: "I know Barry, yeah."

Paterson replied: "Okay, your reaction when you first saw the naked dance scene at the end of Saltburn?" Scott looked somewhat perturbed and shook his head laughing nervously and muttering "Jesus!" He went on: "Okay, well listen I won't spoil it for anybody. It's great, it's great. I won't spoil if for anybody." He continued to shake his head, laugh nervously and look at the ground.

Paterson continued: "There is a lot of talk about prosthetics. How well do you know him?" Scott shook his head and waved his hand in aversion, muttering something inaudible. He then said "Thanks guys," and walked away as Paterson laughed: "Too much?! Too much."

The reporter was referring to the final scene in Saltburn, which sees Keoghan's character dancing around the stately home naked to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor.

Yahoo UK has contacted the BBC for comment.

What else happened?

The interview has attracted much criticism from viewers and commentators, with some even branding the question homophobic. Scott and Keoghan are both Irish and were born in Dublin. They are not thought to have ever worked directly together on stage or screen.

One viewer wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter: "This is frankly disgusting. Andrew Scott is there to support his multiple nominated film and THIS is what you ask? Then when he looks visibly uncomfortable the guy carried on. Truly horrid. #BAFTAs"

Another said: "Oh dear @BBCNewsone of your presenters Colin Paterson was very inappropriate in his interview with Andrew Scott at #BAFTAs yesterday. As ever Andrew Scott rose above that nonsense and responded very positively to the insightful, skilled questioning from @lizo_mzimba"

While another fumed: "He could have asked a brilliant actor about his nomination in a wonderful film, but no, Colin Paterson chose to ask totally stupid, awkward and obnoxious questions. What a load of b*****s! Andrew Scott did the only right thing, just walk away. #BAFTAs"

And another stated: Have watched & respected @ColinGPaterson for yrs in his role as @bbcentertain correspondent so am shocked at how unprofessional he behaved tonight toward Andrew Scott at the #BAFTAs Well done Andrew for walking away. Colin owes you an apology"

One claimed: "There’s is something so deeply homophobic about asking Andrew Scott a gay man this weird ass question about Barry’s scene in Saltburn?? ask him about all of us strangers the BAFTA nominated film he is in… “how well do you know Barry” Andrew deserves an apology from the BBC"

Another posted: "Honestly, some entertainment journalists make me question my dream to be in that industry. Some of the "questions" asked tonight at the #BAFTAs were truly disturbing. Andrew Scott, I'm sorry you were subjected to that, you deserve better."

Read more: Andrew Scott's awkward interview at the Baftas

• Bafta viewers defend Andrew Scott after ‘disgusting’ question on red carpet (Independent, 3 min read)

• BBC Criticized for Bizarre BAFTA Red Carpet Interview With Andrew Scott (Daily Beast, 2 min read)

• BBC Slammed For 'Disgusting' Red Carpet Interview With Actor Andrew Scott (HuffPost, 2 min read)

Watch: Andrew Scott reveals which film he wants to win a Bafta award