Bafta: Delayed TV awards ceremony to go ahead in closed studio

‘I am as surprised as you are that this is still going ahead,’ joked host Richard Ayoade

Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Jodie Comer pose at the 2019 TV Baftas (Getty Images)

The 2020 Bafta Television Awards will be broadcast from a closed studio, it has been announced, after being delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Usually, stars of the small screen attend a glamorous ceremony every year to collect their accolades, but this year host Richard Ayoade will present the awards from behind closed doors, and winners will give their acceptance speeches via video link.

The event was originally due to take place on 17 May, but is now scheduled for 31 July. It will air on BBC One as usual.

Nominations will be announced next Thursday (4 June).

“I am as surprised as you are that this is still going ahead,” joked Ayoade.

The Bafta TV Awards are not the first to go behind closed doors, with the Royal Television Society Awards and the Bafta Games Awards both being adapted in accordance with lockdown rules.

The Turner Prize, by contrast, will not be awarded this year because of the pandemic.