Tinseltown’s finest came out Thursday for BAFTA’s annual awards gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.
Comedian Stephen Fry was the evening’s host, addressing the crowd as, “My lords, ladies, gentlemen, combined hangers-oners and media scum.” But he was in for some stiff competition from several witty winners who took to the stage decked in Swarovski crystals.
Actress Betty White won the event’s first Charlie Chaplin Britannia award for excellence in comedy.
“No matter what you have heard, Chuck Chaplin and I never had a relationship,” she quipped. “Well, maybe once.”
Michael Sheen received the Britannia Award for British artist of the year and also garnered the night’s greatest laughs with a run of innuendos targeting regular collaborator Fry.
“I’m so happy that of all the people who could be hosting tonight, it is the man I had my first screen kiss with,” he said. “I’m proud to be able to call him my friend and not just my lover.”
