Presenting the awards this year was none other than The Traitors US’ Alan Cumming

: Leonardo Di Caprio attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026(Image: WireImage)

Those watching the Bafta Film Awards 2026 issued a major complaint just minutes into the BBC’s broadcast of the ceremony.

The final stop before the Academy Awards next month was held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London on Saturday night (February 22). As is tradition, the awards provide an insight into who might walk away with a golden statue next month.

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On presenting duty this year was The Traitors US host Alan Cumming, replacing Doctor Who legend David Tennant after two years of being on presenting duties. Alan is no stranger to the world of movies, having worked on X-Men and Eyes Wide Shut in the past.

Leading the pack in terms of nominations heading into the evening was Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which has 14 nominations under its belt. The Paul Thomas Anderson films starring Leonardo Di Caprio will be hoping to cement itself as the Oscar frontrunner.

Also looking to follow in last year’s big winner Conclave was Hamnet and Marty Supreme and Sinners. The latter made history last month by being nominated for a staggering 16 Oscars, more than any film in the awards’ history.

Tasked with handing out the Baftas this year was the likes of Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy, Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston and Adolescence’s Erin Doherty, who recently won an Emmy for her work on the Netflix series.

Host Alan Cumming speaks on stage during the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)

News of who won awards this year began circulating before the BBC’s coverage got underway at 7pm. As is tradition, the BBC don’t air the ceremony live, providing them time to edit down its two hours runtime.

However, many film fans were shocked to learn this as they rushed to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on having the results spoiled on them before they even got to watch the action unfold.

@adaenechi said: “Can someone tell me why in 2026 the BAFTAs still aren’t live?” @michaelcollado added: “Having to learn the BAFTA winners via tweets because they don’t air live… very low vibrational.”

@saoirdaya wrote: “There’s absolutely 0 reason for BAFTAs to not be live?” @shadowbxnned posted: “Exactly and other than ruining the experience isn’t it bad for ratings if people know all the winners before the show airs?”

@virgosrecords commented: “i hate that the baftas aren’t live, like we’re really gonna find out who won from filmupdates?” @nofqcez stated: “not being able to see the baftas live and having to see who wins from twitter is kind of crazy.”

This marked the second time an awards ceremony has annoyed UK fans in recent months, with the Golden Globes not available to watch anywhere live last month.

Thankfully, the 98th Oscars can be watched live in the UK exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX in the early hours of March 16.