New track to be unveiled at next week's ceremony

Tim Minchin is to perform at this year’s Bafta awards.

The comedian will open the online show with an original track specially written for the ceremony, and will close with a performance of Carry You, which he composed for his TV series ‘Upright’.

He said: ‘I would very much like to be in a lovely theatre in beautiful London, dressed in an on-loan tuxedo, trying to stay sober enough to remember the lyrics I last-minute wrote for the opening of UK telly’s night of nights. 

‘As it is, I’ve pre recorded the song from Sydney in the 25-year old tux I had in my closet, and I remembered the words fine because we filmed it in the morning, and neither the pandemic nor the high quality of affordable Australian wines have as yet driven me to AM drinking.’

More seriously he added: ‘I’m incredibly honoured to have been asked and am excited to see how the whole thing is put together, given how very hard the Baftas folk have worked to make it special.’

The ceremony, sponsored by Virgin Media, will take place behind closed doors, being filmed at Television Centre in West London and broadcast on BBC One at 7pm on Friday  July 31. H

Richard Ayoade, was previously announced as host, while today Tom Allen is unveiled as the presenter of the pre-show coverage which will stream live on Bafta’s social channels (YouTube, Twitter and Facebook) from 6pm.

 Taking the place of the traditional red carpet programme, the show will feature interviews with nominees and presenters  including Jodie Comer, Stephen Graham, Mo Gilligan, Glenda Jackson and Jamie Demetriou.

Allen said: ‘ I can’t wait to help you celebrate this year’s wonderful TV talent before the big night. I bet Bafta provide nice crisps too.'

Clare Brown, director of Bafta production said: ‘We’re thrilled to have Tim Minchin  performing two of his compositions during the ceremony, one written exclusively for the TV awards, a ceremony that may look very different this year but will be as brilliantly entertaining as always.

‘We’re also delighted to have Tom Allen hosting the Virgin Media Bafta TV Pre-Show, which will feature chats with many of our nominees and other guests as the excitement builds ahead of the ceremony itself.’

Published: 24 Jul 2020