Life, so the old saying goes, begins at 40.
And then it goes into joyously crazy overdrive at 44 — if, that is, you’re Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who gave a show-stopping performance at the Baftas this week.
And why shouldn’t she?
The singer reprised Murder On The Dancefloor, her 2001 hit now enrapturing a new generation of fans.
It comes thanks to its use in the climactic scenes of Saltburn, the second film directed by Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell.
Life, so the old saying goes, begins at 40. And then it goes into joyously crazy overdrive at 44 — if, that is, you’re Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who gave a show-stopping performance at the Baftas this week
The singer reprised Murder On The Dancefloor, her 2001 hit now enrapturing a new generation of fans
Sophie can afford to keep the party going: newly published figures reveal that her live music company DV Touring pulled in £1.2million last year and delivered a £342,000 profit — a figure likely to be dwarfed in 2024.
Sophie delivered a showstopping performance of her iconic Noughties hit at the 2024 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday.
As Sophie took to the stage during the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, she wowed in a dramatic black and orange puffball gown.
The star’s look boasted a black netted skirt with an orange overlay, and a plunging corset top.
Finishing her look with gold sparkly heels, she slicked back her brunette tresses into a sleek ponytail.
Sophie’s song featured in Saltburn’s viral closing moments, which saw Barry Keoghan’s character dance naked around the Saltburn mansion.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Sophie admitted that recreating Barry’s naked dance ‘may be a bit much’ for the awards.
When asked about Keoghan re-doing it, Ellis-Bextor told the PA news agency on the red carpet: ‘It might be a bit much for him first thing but we have had a moment together already…
Newly published figures reveal that her live music company DV Touring pulled in £1.2million last year and delivered a £342,000 profit — a figure likely to be dwarfed in 2024
Sophie delivered a showstopping performance of her iconic Noughties hit at the 2024 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday (seen on the red carpet before)
‘I was lucky enough to meet all the Saltburn cast back in November in LA at the premiere, so it’d be nice to see them again because I think what they’ve achieved with the film is wonderful so I just want to toast that.’
She also said that she ‘felt very complimented’ by director Emerald Fennell choosing her 2001 song for the film.
Meanwhile, Saltburn star Richard E Grant joked the cast would strip during Sophie’s performance.
He said on the red carpet: ‘None of us are keeping our clothes on.
‘If you look at where our group is going to be tonight, we’ve prearranged the whole choreographed thing. I’ve said during tonight we’re taking them all off again… I think it’s called The Windmill (dance.)’
Richard added about his role in the film as an aristocratic dad who ends up devastated when his son dies: ‘I was so grateful to be offered a part, and that I got to keep my clothes on.’
He said about the reaction to the shock bath, grave and nude scenes in ‘Saltburn’: ‘A fair number of grandmothers have written to complain that they were told to watch this film for Christmas and their false teeth fell out.
It comes thanks to its use in the climactic scenes of Saltburn, the second film directed by Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell which stars Barry Keoghan (seen)
‘(But) it’s the way to go. Emerald has a skewed dark sense of humour, and I knew that, and I’ve known her since she was 13. The darkness and the way she dealt with sexual obsession – it was amazing.
‘She was a bold storyteller (aged 13) and has written ever since. She could write.’
Oppenheimer proved to be the big winner on the night, earning seven gongs including Best Film, Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr and Director for Christopher Nolan.
Prince William attended the ceremony in London solo as his wife Kate Middleton continues her recovery from last month’s abdominal surgery.
