David Tennant wastes no time targeting Donald Trump in opening Bafta monologue as he ridicules US President: ‘A villain!’
Donald Trump came into David Tennant’s firing line during his opening Baftas monologue on Sunday evening – despite the former Doctor Who star vowing to tone down any suggestion of offence during his set.
The US President was branded a “villain” by the actor just moments after he opened the show with a rendition of the Proclaimers’ hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).
After mingling with the crowd, Tennant took to the podium on stage to deliver a few pieces to the camera about this year’s nominees.
Soon, he landed on the Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong blockbuster, The Apprentice.
The Apprentice, which Trump vows not to watch, tells the story of young Trump making his name as a real estate mogul in 1970s New York where he encounters cut-throat lawyer Roy Cohn (played by Strong).
The US President has publicly criticised the film and insisted he’ll never watch it over its depiction of him, something Tennant mocked within minutes of his opening monologue.
“Donald Trump says he hasn’t seen The Apprentice because it’s not on Nickelodeon,” Tennant said to giggles from the crowd.
After repeating his name a few more times, Tennant went on: “I’ve said his name three times it’s like I’ve summoned him like Beetlejuice!”
Trying to move on, Tennant then received a round of applause from the crowd as he remarked: “Talking of villains…”
Tennant then segued on by saying: “We’ve got many this year, not just Nosferatu.”
The jibes geared towards Trump were arguably the only contentious ones in what was a rather safe opening gambit.
And it was no surprise that Tennant steered clear of too many political or topical controversies after he vowed to tone down his hosting duties after causing offence last year.
Tennant told Radio Times earlier this month that he’d steer away from poking fun at the crowd due to the reaction of Cate Blanchett at last year’s awards.
“The Baftas are supposed to be kind,” he told the publication. “Last year we weren’t trying to roast people, but there was a joke about Cate Blanchett, and she looked a little bit annoyed, a little bit p**sed off.
“And I remember going, ‘Oh God, no. I think you’re brilliant. I was just trying to be witty and make a point about how you’ve got lots of prizes, and we love you’.
“So I think, if I’ve learned anything, it’s probably that I’m not interested in picking fights or making anyone feel in any way uncomfortable. If I have a style, it’s only that.”
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When it came to the awards themselves, there was controversy aplenty when Emilia Perez bagged Best Film Not in an English Language.
The film, starring Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, has hit headlines of late thanks to the social media activity of leading star, trans actress Karla Sofia Gascon.
Gascon, who was also nominated for Best Actress, previously shared Twitter posts deemed “racist” and “Islamophobic”, something she’s since defended in a series of statements and tearful interviews.
She decided not to attend the ceremony on Sunday while co-star Saldana celebrated winning the Best Supporting Actress award.