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How to watch the 2021 Virgin Media BAFTAs

How to watch the 2021 Virgin Media BAFTAs

Are you ready to celebrate the telly that saw you through 2020? Switch out your sweatpants and dust off your best clothes for a star-studded night in on the sofa. Before the 2021 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards airs, here’s what you need to know


By Virgin TV Edit

It has finally arrived, the glitziest, most prestigious night in British television – the 2021 Virgin Media BAFTAs. After a unique ceremony in a (hopefully) unique 2020, at this year’s awards, nominees including Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal, Michaela Coel and Billie Piper will attend in person to see whether they’ll take home a mask that – for once – they won’t need to physically wear.

 

Tune in for the highly anticipated announcement of Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment Award, the only gong at the awards voted for by the public, and one that celebrates the important part TV has played in our lives over the last year.

 

Ahead of the ceremony, we sent award-winning documentary film-maker Cassam Looch to find out why this year’s nominees meant so much to the TV-watching nation. From Southampton to Glasgow, Liverpool to London, Cardiff to Birmingham, he travelled the length and breadth of the UK to talk TV with the people who really matter: you.

 

Watch the full film below, then read on for your comprehensive guide to the 2021 Virgin Media BAFTAs:
 


For individual episodes of The Telly That Kept Us Talking for each nominee for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment, click the links below:
 

Who’s presenting the awards?

For the second year in a row, actor, writer, film-maker and television presenter Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd) will announce this year’s winners.

 

Guest presenters attending in person include: Bill Bailey, Daisy May Cooper, Adrian Dunbar, Maya Jama, Oti Mabuse, Zawe Ashton, Rob Beckett, Nicola Coughlin, Cush Jumbo, Rose Matafeo and Golda Rosheuvel.

 

Guest presenters attending via video call include: Jamie Demetriou, Catherine O’Hara, Tommy Jessop, Jon Snow, Bob Mortimer with Paul Whitehouse and Catherine Zeta-Jones. 
 

Where are the awards being held?

Like last year’s ceremony, it will take place in BBC Studios with social distancing. 
 

Olly Alexander of Years & Years will kick off proceedings with an exclusive opening performance of his new track “Starstruck”. He will also present an award with his It’s A Sin co-star Lydia West.

 

How can I watch the 2021 Virgin Media BAFTAs?

You can watch this year’s awards live on BBC One HD (CH 101/108) from 7pm on Sunday 6 June. Catch the ceremony in Apps & Games > BBC iPlayer after broadcast.

 

Join Virgin Media on the red carpet here
 

Who’s been nominated?

Small Axe leads the way with an impressive 15 nominations across the TV and Craft awards, while The Crown, I May Destroy You and Normal People have earned well-deserved recognition among the outstanding nominees. Find the full list of nominees here
 

How will winners’ speeches work?

It’s a bit of a mix! Some winners on the night will be saying their thank yous from the stage, while others will accept virtually or have a pre-recorded message played on the night.
 

What’s been nominated for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of 2020?

Voting for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment Award has now closed, but here are the contenders in the only category voted for by the public…
 

  • Bridgerton: Penelope is revealed as Lady Whistledown
  • Britain’s Got Talent: Diversity performs a routine inspired by the events of 2020
  • EastEnders: Gray kills Chantelle
  • Gogglebox: Reactions to Boris Johnson’s press conference
  • Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat: Mee-cro-wah-vay
  • The Mandalorian: Luke Skywalker arrives
     

Have a big BAFTA night in

Which TV moment brought you and your faves together last year? The power of amazing British TV deserves celebrating. So that’s exactly what we’re doing for this year’s Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards – and we want you to join us.

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