Rebel Wilson had the Bafta audience in stitches as she poked fun at box office flop Cats, as well as coronavirus and the male-only directing category.
The actress, who presented the director award during the ceremony, used her time on stage to lighten the mood.
Wilson, 39, kicked off by joking about sustainability at the awards, claiming that her dress – a red and black number – was constructed from two she has previously worn.
She said the red dress was from when she lost the Miss Australia pageant, and that the black half was from “the funeral I went to for the feature film Cats”.
Wilson, who appeared in the star-studded musical film alongside Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench and Idris Elba, quipped that it was “strangely not nominated for any awards”.
“I’m not sure if anyone has been across the controversy, but this year there has been a distinct lack of nominations for felines,” she added, referring to the film’s poor performance at the box office and among critics.
“Even in this best director CAT-egory, no felines have been nominated.
“It’s really shocking, but at least I get to hold this Bafta for a moment.”
BAFTAs 2020: Winners – In pictures
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Renee Zellweger winner of Best Actress for Judy,
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Callum McDougall, Charles Chapman, George Mackay, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Mark Strong and Andrew Scott, winners of Best Film for 1917, backstage at the Bafta Film Awards
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Sam Mendes poses with his award for Best Film for ‘1917’
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US actress Laura Dern (C) poses with the award for a Supporting Actress for her work on the film ‘Marriage Story’ at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards
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Andy Serkis, winner of the Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema award
Dave Benett
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Joaquin Phoenix with his award for Best Actor
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Ella Balinska and Andrew Scott pose for a photo with Jacqueline Durran after presenting her with the award for Best Costume Design
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Micheal Ward, winner of the EE Rising Star award
Dave Benett
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Daniel Kaluuya and Micheal Ward
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Naomie Harris, Laura Dern, winner of Best Supporting Actress for “Marriage Story”, and Richard E. Grant pose in the Winners Room at the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 at Royal Albert Hall
Dave Benet
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Taika Waititi, winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay award for “Jojo Rabbit”
Dave Benett
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AFP via Getty Images
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Renee Zellweger winner of Best Actress for Judy,
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Callum McDougall, Charles Chapman, George Mackay, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Mark Strong and Andrew Scott, winners of Best Film for 1917, backstage at the Bafta Film Awards
Invision/AP
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Sam Mendes poses with his award for Best Film for ‘1917’
Reuters
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US actress Laura Dern (C) poses with the award for a Supporting Actress for her work on the film ‘Marriage Story’ at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards
AFP via Getty Images
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Andy Serkis, winner of the Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema award
Dave Benett
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Joaquin Phoenix with his award for Best Actor
PA
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Ella Balinska and Andrew Scott pose for a photo with Jacqueline Durran after presenting her with the award for Best Costume Design
PA
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Micheal Ward, winner of the EE Rising Star award
Dave Benett
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Daniel Kaluuya and Micheal Ward
Dave Benett
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Naomie Harris, Laura Dern, winner of Best Supporting Actress for “Marriage Story”, and Richard E. Grant pose in the Winners Room at the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 at Royal Albert Hall
Dave Benet
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Taika Waititi, winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay award for “Jojo Rabbit”
Dave Benett
With a sigh, she held the mask-shaped award up to her face and said: “And wow, what a great way to stop yourself from getting coronavirus.”
Turning her attention to the director award, which was controversially comprised of only male nominees, she said: “I don’t think I could do what they do. I don’t think I have the balls.”
Wilson garnered huge applause from the audience for her pointed remark.
Her comment was reminiscent of Oscar nominations presenter Issa Rae, who quipped “congratulations to those men” after the all-male shortlist was announced.
Cats, The Musical: Film 2019 – In pictures
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Francesca Hayward
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Taylor Swift
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Judi Dench
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Taylor Swift
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Ian McKellen
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Jason Derulo
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James Corden
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Jennifer Hudson
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Judi Dench
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Jennifer Hudson
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Taylor Swift
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James Corden
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Ian McKellen
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Francesca Hayward
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Taylor Swift
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Judi Dench
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Taylor Swift
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Ian McKellen
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Jason Derulo
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James Corden
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Jennifer Hudson
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Judi Dench
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Jennifer Hudson
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Taylor Swift
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James Corden
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Ian McKellen
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It is the seventh year in a row that there has not been a single female director included in the category – the last time a woman was included was Kathryn Bigelow in 2013 for The Hurt Locker.
Sir Sam Mendes won the director gong for his war film 1917.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
