The BBC closely monitors potential politically charged speeches at the upcoming Baftas, exercising caution following last summer’s controversy at Glastonbury.

Glastonbury Livestream Sparks Outrage

Musical duo Bob Vylan performed at Glastonbury, where their livestream included chants of ‘Death to the IDF.’ The incident drew widespread criticism, with former BBC director-general Tim Davie later acknowledging the act as ‘high risk’ before broadcast. Public debate over the live TV moment persisted for weeks.

Baftas Editing Process Offers Buffer

Unlike Glastonbury, the Baftas ceremony runs for three hours but airs as a two-hour edited broadcast later in the evening. Producers trim categories and moments for timing. This approach previously caused issues in 2023, when Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney’s speech criticizing the UK government was shortened at the Bafta TV Awards, prompting backlash over perceived censorship.

Insiders reveal BBC executives and producers at Penny Lane Entertainment aim to prevent repeats of the Glastonbury fallout. ‘They can’t have another Glastonbury – that’s the thing they keep talking about,’ one source close to preparations stated.

Concerns Over Anti-Trump Remarks

Sources express nervousness about possible anti-Trump sentiment, noting a Trump joke by last year’s Bafta host David Tennant was edited out. Another insider remarked, ‘We are mindful [of controversy], but this stuff is our bread and butter.’

Expert Insights on Managing Risks

PR and entertainment expert Lynn Carratt, founder of E20 Communications, describes award ceremonies as ‘potential flashpoints.’ She notes, ‘Political moments aren’t new [although] these moments feel bigger and more intense today.’

Carratt adds that broadcasters now recognize ‘one unscripted moment can dominate headlines for days.’ For the BBC, she highlights an ‘almost impossible position’: balancing creative freedom with regulatory duties. Her advice: ‘The safest strategy is balance: clear editorial guidelines combined with respect for creative expression.’

She warns, ‘Over-policing speeches can backfire just as badly as letting controversy unfold. If viewers think edits are being made for political reasons, it risks accusations of censorship.’

Crisis PR expert Lauren Beeching emphasizes that editing does not eliminate all risks. ‘If something controversial is said, it can still be filmed, shared, or reported in real time,’ she explains. ‘The BBC can manage what goes out on its channel, but it cannot fully control how the moment travels.’

Beeching also observes pressure on industry figures: ‘Clients and others in the industry are often under significant pressure to speak up on political issues… silence equals complicity. But those decisions always come with risk.’

BBC’s Official Stance

A BBC spokesperson confirms: ‘As is always the case, the show’s content must be appropriate for the slot and in line with BBC editorial guidelines, as well as Ofcom-compliant. The ceremony itself is far longer than the two-hour broadcast, and while we always aim to keep the core sentiment of acceptance speeches, edits are made due to time constraints.’

The Bafta Film Awards 2026, hosted by Alan Cumming, air on BBC One at 7pm on Sunday, February 22.