David Tennant, known for his role in Doctor Who, kicked off the BAFTAs with a mix of humor and music, taking playful jabs at former U.S. President Donald Trump during his opening monologue.
Hosting the prestigious London event once again, the Scottish actor brought energy to the ceremony by performing I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers.
At 53, Tennant wasted no time diving into his speech, where he made a bold comparison between Trump and the character Beetlejuice, portraying him as a villainous figure.
His remarks came in light of The Apprentice, the controversial biopic centered on Trump, which had secured three nominations for the evening.
The film’s presence in the awards lineup added to the buzz surrounding Tennant’s pointed comments, setting the stage for a night filled with entertainment and political undertones.
David Tennant takes a jab at President Trump
During his BAFTA opening monologue, David Tennant took a swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump, making a sharp comparison between Trump’s distinctive hairstyle and the architectural style featured in The Brutalist.
Joking about the film’s bold design, Tennant quipped, “The Brutalist is a film about incredible architecture. In fact, it’s the boldest architecture in film this year, apart from Donald Trump’s hair in ‘The Apprentice.’”
Continuing with his playful remarks, Tennant referenced The Apprentice, the controversial biopic about Trump, and joked about the former president’s viewing preferences. “Donald Trump says he hasn’t seen ‘The Apprentice,’ because it’s a 15. It’s not on Nickelodeon,” he remarked, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
The Doctor Who star then added, “Donald Trump. I’m worried. I’ve said his name three times. It’s like Beetlejuice – I have summoned him. And talking of villains…”
These comments didn’t stand well with many Trump followers who weren’t happy with Tennant’s remarks but also with the BBC According to reports, while Tennant’s quip about The Brutalist remained, subsequent jokes about Trump were omitted from the final BBC edit
Tennant also poked fun at the length of some of the nominated films, urging winners to keep their acceptance speeches concise. “If you do win, please keep your speeches the opposite to your films—nice and short,” he joked, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere of the evening.
