Sophie Ellis-Bextor pulled out all the stops on Sunday as she arrived at the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Festival Hall.
The singer, 44, put on a show-stopping display in a sheer black gown, covered in individual petals on the sleeves and hem.
Underneath, she donned a nude bodysuit encrusted in diamonds, leaving her long legs bare and on display.
Sophie wore her long dark hair in a retro half-up-half-down style and added several chunky diamond rings for added sparkle.
The hitmaker told British Vogue her look was supposed to channel ‘disco superhero’ and completed her look with purple eyeshadow for a pop of colour.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor pulled out all the stops on Sunday as she arrived at the 77th EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Festival Hall
The singer, 44, put on a show-stopping display in a sheer black gown, covered in individual petals on the sleeves and hem
Sophie has seen a resurgence for her 2001 track Murder On The Dancefloor thanks to its prominence in Saltburn.
Speaking to PA on the red carpet, she was asked what she thought about Barry Keoghan recreating his eye-popping scene from the film to her song.
She said it ‘may be a bit much’ for the ceremony but she was looking forward to seeing him again and that she ‘felt very complimented’ by director Emerald Fennell choosing her song for the film.
David Tennant will host this year’s ceremony live from Royal Festival Hall at London’s Southbank Centre, with an array of guest presenters on hand to deliver awards throughout the night.
Actress and singer Hannah Waddingham will treat guests to an exclusive live music performance, while Sophie Ellis-Bextor will perform her iconic hit Murder on the Dancefloor after it enjoyed a new lease of life in Emerald Fennell’s BAFTA nominated Saltburn.
Elsewhere the Guyanese-born, London-based film curator June Givanni will receive an Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award.
Actress Samantha Morton’s lengthy career will also be rewarded with a BAFTA Fellowship, the arts charity’s highest accolade and handed out in recognition of outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
Tennant, who is hosting the star-studded ceremony for the first time, recently admitted he was bewildered by the prospect of compering to so many people.
Underneath, she donned a nude bodysuit encrusted in diamonds, leaving her long legs bare and on display
Sophie wore her long dark hair in a retro half-up-half-down style and added several chunky diamond rings for added sparkle
He told Variety: ‘I don’t know what to expect, if I’m honest with you. The whole thing just feels like one of those experiences you say “yes” to because it would be churlish not to. But what an amazing thing to be asked to do. What a privilege.’
The Scottish actor also insisted he will adopt a softer approach to the abrasive style used to great effect by Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes.
‘I think the BAFTA mood is supportive and friendly,’ he added. ‘Ricky Gervais is brilliant at what he does, but that wouldn’t be my style.
‘I don’t think I’ve quite got that sort of approach, so I think you just have to kind of be who you are, really. But we’ve got some good material that won’t leave anyone feeling got at.’
Tennant revealed he was in complete shock when he received an email asking if he wanted to host the annual awards show.
Speaking to the Radio Times, he said: ‘Right now, a month out, it feels like a bit of a thrill and a lark.
‘An extraordinary opportunity to do something very unusual and exciting. People keep asking me how nervous I am, how I’m preparing for it and so on, and that’s beginning to make me nervous.
‘Who knows why they’ve asked me! I just thought I’d say yes before they realised they’ve sent the email to the wrong person.’
BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip confirmed the academy was ‘over the moon’ that Tennant would be hosting the ceremony.
Sophie has seen a resurgence for her 2001 track Murder On The Dancefloor thanks to its prominence in Saltburn
Asked what she thought about Barry Keoghan recreating his eye-popping scene from the film to her song, she said it ‘may be a bit much’ but she was looking forward to seeing him again
She said: ‘He is deservedly beloved by British and international audiences, alike.
‘His warmth, charm and mischievous wit will make it a must-watch show next month for our guests at the Royal Festival Hall and the millions of people watching at home.’
Guest presenters on the night will include Bryce Dallas Howard, Callum Turner, Cate Blanchett, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daisy Edgar Jones, David Beckham, Deepika Padukone, Dua Lipa, Emma Corrin, Gillian Anderson, Hugh Grant, Idris Elba, Jack O’Connell, Lily Collins, Rebecca Ferguson and Taylor Russell.
Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards & Content said: ‘It is a privilege to welcome so many nominees to the EE BAFTA Film Awards this Sunday, representing some of the best on-screen and behind-the-screen creative talent working in film today who have provided audiences worldwide with an incredible year of film.
‘It is a joy to bring these 38 remarkable films and the teams that made them to public attention.
‘With host David Tennant bringing his charm and charisma to the ceremony, and performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Hannah Waddingham, it promises to be an entertaining show for all our nominees and guests at the Royal Festival Hall and the millions of people watching at home around the world.’
In 2023, acting veteran Richard E. Grant graced the stage as the BAFTAs host, and during his opening monologue referenced the notorious 2022 Academy Awards moment when movie star Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock across the face.
He told the star-studded crowd: ‘Nobody on my watch gets slapped tonight – except on the back.’
In 2022, Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids actress Rebel Wilson made risqué jokes about the royal family, Russian president Vladimir Putin, the gender pay gap, flop film Cats – in which she starred – and her recent weight loss.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a world-leading independent arts charity that draws attention to the best of film, games and television and supports the development of creative talent in the United Kingdom and the wide world.
The organisation also celebrates excellence and nurtures fresh talent through year-round workshops, scholarships, masterclasses, mentoring schemes and lectures.
The nominees for the BAFTA EE Rising Star Award were announced on January 10, with the official longlist of nominations unveiled on January 18.
This year’s ceremony is two hours long and will be broadcast from 7:00pm until 9:00pm on BBC One and will available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
BAFTA 2024 NOMINATIONS IN FULL
Best Film
Anatomy Of A Fall
The Holdovers
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Best Director
Oppenheimer’s is set to sweep the board. One of its many nominations is Christopher Nolan as Best Director
Andrew Haigh, All of Us Stranger
Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
Alexander Payne, The Holdovers
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Supporting Actor
Robert De Niro, Killers Of The Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer
Jacob Elordi, Saltburn
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Paul Mescal, All Of Us Strangers
Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers
Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
Claire Foy, All Of Us Strangers
Sandra Hüller, The Zone Of Interest
Rosamund Pike, Saltburn
Da’vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
Original Screenplay
Anatomy Of A Fall has received plenty of nominations including for Original Screenplay
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Maestro
Past Lives
Adapted Screenplay
All Of Us Strangers
American Fiction
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone Of Interest
Animated Film
Chicken Run’s sequel Dawn Of The Nugget is up for Animated Film
The Boy And The Heron
Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget
Elemental
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
British Short Film
Festival Of Slaps
Gorka
Jellyfish And Lobster
Such A Lovely Day
Yellow
Cinematography
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Sone Of Interest
Documentary
20 Days In Mariupol
American Symphony
Beyond Utopia
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Wham!
Make Up & Hair
Killers Of The Flower Moon earned plenty of nominations. Pictured: Lily Gladstone and Leonardo di Caprio
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Maestro
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Product Design
Barbie
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone Of Interest
Special Visual Effects
Poor Things, featuring Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo (both pictured), is up for Special Visual Effects
The Creator
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Napoleon
Poor Things
Leading Actor
Barry Keoghan is up for Leading Actor for his performance in Saltburn
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Barry Keoghan, Saltburn
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Teo Yoo, Past Lives
Leading Actress
Margot Robbie got nominated for Leading Actress
Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy Of A Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Vivian Oparah, Rye Lane
Margot Robbie, Barbie
Emma Stone, Poor Things
Outstanding British Film
All Of Us Strangers
How To Have Sex
Napoleon
The Old Oak
Poor Things
Rye Lane
Saltburn
Scrapper
Wonka
The Zone Of Interest
Film Not in the English Language
20 Days In Mariupol
Anatomy of a Fall
Past Lives
Society of the Snow
The Zone of Interest
Outstanding Debut
How To Have Sex got a nod for Outstanding Debut
Blue Bag Life
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
Earth Mama
How To Have Sex
Is There Anybody Out There?
Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
Lisa Selby, Rebecca Lloyd-Evans, Alex Fry
Christopher Sharp
Savanah Leaf, Shirley O’connor, Medb Riordan
Molly Manning Walker
Ella Glendining
British Short Animation
Crab Day
Visible Mending
Wild Summon
Casting
The Holdovers had a good showing, including being up for Casting
All Of Us Strangers
Anatomy Of A Fall
The Holdovers
How To Have Sex
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Costume Design
Barbie
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Editing
Anatomy Of A Fall
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
The Zone Of Interest
Original Score
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Saltburn
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Sound
The Zone Of Interest is up for Sound alongside Oppenheimer, Maestro and others
Ferrari
Maestro
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
The Zone Of Interest
EE Rising Star
Phoebe Dynevor
Ayo Edebiri
Jacob Elordi
Mia McKenna-Bruce
Sophie Wilde
