Richard E Grant jokes about Will Smith’s slap in Baftas opening speech

Richard E Grant started off the evening referring to Will Smith’s “slap incident” in his opening speech at the Baftas on Sunday night (19 February).

“Nobody on my watch gets slapped tonight – except on the back”, said the Withnail and I actor, who hosted this year’s ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Grant was referencing the notorious 2022 Oscars moment that saw Will Smith slap presenter Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

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