Ricky Gervais at the 2020 Golden Globes / NBC
Ricky Gervais has offered to present the BAFTA Film Awards but has warned that he will charge a hefty hosting fee.
The comedian – creator of The Office, Extras and After Life – earned legendary status as a five-time host of the Golden Globes, becoming known for his brutal jokes at the expense of the celebrity attendees and his scathing criticism of Hollywood.
In recent years the BAFTAs – the most prestigious film event in the UK – have been criticised for heavily on social media for being “woke” and “dull” but Gervais thinks a more daring host could shake things up.
Positing a stint in charge, Gervais said on his YouTube channel: “The best that could happen is that I do annoy people. I think if I did it I’d really have to go for it and I don’t know if they’d like it. But I wouldn’t care, they’d have to pay me a lot.”
He continued: “Just do the monologue, five minutes, insult everyone in the room, ‘thanks, good night’, fast car, home. I’d be watching it on telly before the end.”
This year’s ceremony was hosted by Alan Cumming, while presenters in recent years have included David Tennant, Richard E Grant and Alison Hammond.
