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Richard E Grant announced as host of Film Baftas 2023

The Withnail and I star will helm the awards ceremony in London for the first time.

Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant will host the Bafta Film awards ceremony for the first time. (Getty Images)

Richard E Grant has said he feels "hugely privileged" to host the Bafta film awards 2023.

The 65-year-old actor – star of Withnail and I and Can You Ever Forgive Me? – has been announced as the new host of the British movie awards ceremony in London, his first time in the role.

Grant said: “I feel hugely privileged to be hosting the EE Baftas for the first time and the opportunity to celebrate the very best of the extraordinary range of this year’s films.”

Read more: Baftas 2022: Rebel Wilson's 'car crash' hosting slated by TV viewers

The awards ceremony coverage will follow a new format, with This Morning presenter Alison Hammond hosting a new backstage Bafta Studio from the Royal Festival Hall to give viewers an “access-all-areas experience of one of the biggest nights in film”.

Alison Hammond attends the ITV Palooza 2022 on November 15, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Alison Hammond will host behind-the-scenes coverage of the Bafta Film Awards for BBC. (Getty Images)

She said: "I’m so excited to be hosting at this year’s EE Bafta Film Awards with THE Richard E Grant.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun bringing the glitz and glam of backstage to everyone watching at home around the world.

“From hanging out with the stars to celebrating the biggest night for cinema, and joining the discussions with film fans, get ready for good vibes only.”

Watch: Richard E. Grant unveils memoir penned in honour of late wife

Jane Millichip, chief executive of Bafta, said: “We are blessed to have a fantastic lineup of hosts for our 2023 EE Bafta film awards, all of whom exude wit, charm and warmth.

“I can’t wait to see Richard E. Grant take to the stage. Much-loved by our audience at home, Richard also commands huge respect from his industry peers.”

Rebel Wilson attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2022 at Royal Albert Hall on March 13, 2022 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Rebel Wilson hosted the Bafta Film Awards in 2022. (Getty Images)

Grant was nominated for a Bafta for Best Supporting Actor for Can You Ever Forgive Me? in 2019 but did not win.

Actor and TV presenter Grant, who was born in Swaziland and moved to England to pursue his acting career, takes over from Australian comedic actor Rebel Wilson, whose below-the-belt jokes were branded a "car crash" by viewers in 2022.

She followed in the footsteps of Graham Norton, who hosted the awards in 2020 and Dame Joanna Lumley who was host for two years before that.

Stephen Fry hosted the awards for 11 years between 2001 and 2017.

Jonathan Ross hosted the awards for five years between 2007 and 2011.

Stephen Fry attending the after show party for the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images)
Stephen Fry hosted the Bafta Film Awards for 11 years. (Getty Images)

The nominees for the Bafta film awards 2023 will be announced on Thursday 19 January.

The ceremony will take place on Sunday 19 February at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm-9pm on the same day.

For the first time ever the ceremony will be broadcast live to reveal the final four category winners in real-time, showing winner's reactions as they happen.

Read more: All the winners at the 2022 Baftas

The movie Baftas are traditionally held at the Royal Opera House and more recently the Royal Albert Hall, while the TV Baftas have taken place at the Royal Festival Hall for some years.