BAFTA TV Awards 2021: Billie Piper, Jodie Comer and Michaela Coel arrive on red carpet

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The BAFTA TV Awards 2021 will prove to be one for the history books, as stars who are unable to attend will be beamed onto the red carpet in hologram form.

But Billie Piper, Jodie Comer, Michaela Coel, and Oti Mabuse were among the select celebrities to make it onto the red carpet in person on Sunday, when they arrived at west London‘s Televison Centre in head-turning style.

Pop star-turned-actress Billie, 38, wowed she arrived on the red carpet in a black tuxedo dress, which was given a dramatic touch with a single puffy pink sleeve, which descended into a matching bow and train.

With one half of her dress covered in sequins, the star – who has been nominated for her turn in I Hate Suzie – toted a clutch bag, while she opted to accessorise with a glittering statement necklace.

Meanwhile, fellow nominee Jodie, 38, kept things simple yet elegant in a navy sleeveless top with matching high-waisted trousers, which she gave a summery touch with open-toe heels.

While her ensemble was simple, the Killing Eve star added bold jewellery, including an open choker and colourful earrings as she posed up a storm for photographers gathered on the red carpet.

Also nominated on the night, acclaimed actress and screenwriter Michaela, 33, looked incredible in a flowing backless gown and with a statement red cuff sleeve detail.

Michaela, nominated for hit show I May Destroy You – which she wrote and starred in – looked sensational as she slicked back her raven tresses and accentuated her features with bold lipstick. 

With her dress featuring a peephole descending the length of much of her torso, the star added a selection of gold accessories to her gown, including a chunky chain necklace and statement rings – all from Alighieri.  

Strictly Come Dancing star Oti, 30, looked sensational as she stepped out in a deeply plunging cream gown, which boasted a daring thigh-high slit.

Standing tall in a pair of silver strappy heels, the South African beauty’s dress of choice perfectly hugged and flattered her enviably toned frame as she posed up a storm for photographers.

With a pair of dazzling drop earrings complementing her stunning ensemble, the TV personality wore her honey brown tresses in a playful bob, while her good looks were highlighted with a palette of glossy makeup.

She was joined on the red carpet by Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman, who stood out on the red carpet in a dramatic black poncho dress, which enveloped her frame.

Claudia’s dress was fringed with a series of shimmering silver tassels, adding a contrasting touch to her look, which also included a pair of vertiginous black heels.

Toting a black envelope clutch bag, the TV personality wore her signature raven locks in a straight sleek style with a long fringe, while a generous application of makeup highlighted her looks. 

Helena Bonham Carter looked fun and flirty as she arrived on the red carpet in a white layered sleeveless gown, which was decorated with an array of black polka dots.

Wearing her chestnut brown locks in a half-updo, the 55-year-old The Crown star bucked convention by adding a pair of sunglasses to her accessories, which included hoop earrings.

She was joined on the red carpet by her beau Rye Holmboe, who cut a dapper figure in a classic black tuxedo. 

Also in attendance was AJ Odudu, who stunned as she stepped out in a red feathered one-shoulder gown, which boasted a backless feature. 

This year, BAFTA will be beaming celebrities that can’t attend onto the red carpet as holograms.  

And ceremony hosts Stacey Dooley and Vick Hope will introduce the hologram guests to those actually at the socially distanced ceremony.  

Of her red carpet role, Vick revealed last week: ‘If you’re anything like me, over the last year your WhatsApp groups will have been nonstop about a recent episode or moment in the latest TV drama, documentary, reality or even cooking show.

‘It’s made me fall in love with TV all over again, and it’s because of this that I think that the Virgin Media BAFTAs feels extra special this year. 

‘To be able to chat directly with the TV fans who have voted for their favourite Must-See Moment nominee and connect them to their favourite stars via holograms live on the red carpet will be a unique, once in a lifetime experience. 

‘I’m so excited to bring a bit of this magic to the fans at home, it’s going to be an emotional one.’

COVID-19 restrictions mean TV fans can’t be in attendance on the red carpet as usual this year and some nominees won’t be able to attend because of filming bubbles.

All content will be captured by a live stream camera and will enable everyone at home to see the action unfold from the comfort of their living room. 

Members of the public can watch a livestream of the red carpet and be a part of the glamour by visiting Virgin’s website from noon on Sunday.

They can also choose from a selection of digital red carpet outfits to help them get into the spirit of the Awards and get ready carpet ready.

If selected, they will be beamed onto the red carpet and could even ask a question to their favourite celeb with a video of the interaction being sent to the fan after.

Sunday’s BAFTA TV Awards celebrated and rewarded the very best programmes and performances of 2020. 

The evening was hosted by Richard Ayoade and featured performances by Years & Years and Alexis Ffrench 

While Line Of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar, Bill Bailey, Jon Snow, Oti Mabuse, Rob Beckett, Rose Matafeo, Sanjeev Bhaskar, and Zawe Ashton acted as presenters.

Other guest presenters – Catherine O’Hara, Jon Snow, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jamie Demetriou, Tommy Jessop, Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse – appeared via video call during the ceremony. 

Following its three wins at the British Academy Television Craft Awards in May, I May Destroy You, won two more BAFTAs on Sunday, for Mini-Series and Leading Actress for Michaela Coel.

The drama series follows a woman who seeks to rebuild her life after a sexual assault.   

Elsewhere, the Leading Actor award was won by first-time nominee Paul Mescal for his performance as Connell in Normal People.

Malachi Kirby, another first-time winner, won for his performance in Small Axe in the Supporting Actor category. Small Axe had led this year’s nominations with 15 nods.

And Small Axe – which features five films that tell stories about lives of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s – also picked up two Leading Actor nominations with John Boyega and Shaun Parkes both receiving nods.

Rakie Ayola also won her first BAFTA for Supporting Actress for her performance in Anthony.

Another first-time nominee, Aimee Lou Wood scooped a gong in Female Performance in a Comedy Programme for playing Aimee Gibbs in Sex Education.     

Male Performance in a Comedy Programme was awarded to Charlie Cooper for his performance in This Country. 

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan received the BAFTA for Entertainment Performance for The Ranganation.

Save Me Too received the BAFTA for Drama Series and Sitting in Limbo won for Single Drama.

The Big Narstie Show won Comedy Entertainment Programme, its first win following its previous nomination in 2019. And the BAFTA for Entertainment Programme was awarded to Life & Rhymes while Scripted Comedy was awarded to Inside No 9.       

The School That Tried to End Racism received the BAFTA for Reality & Constructed Factual. Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace won in the Features category. They Saw the Sun First won the BAFTA for Short Form Programme.

Casualty was awarded the BAFTA for Soap & Continuing Drama, its first since 2018. The Great House Giveaway won the BAFTA in the new Daytime category.

News Coverage was awarded to Sky News’ Inside Idlib, and the award for Current Affairs was presented to America’s War on Abortion (Exposure). International was awarded to Welcome to Chechnya: The Gay Purge (Storyville).

Once Upon a Time in Iraq received the BAFTA for Factual Series, Locked In: Breaking the Silence (Storyville) won Single Documentary and The Surgeon’s Cut won Specialist Factual.

England V West Indies Test Cricket triumphed in the Sport category, while the award for Live Event was presented to Springwatch 2020. 

And Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment, the only award voted for by the public, was scooped by Britain’s Got Talent for the moment when Diversity performed a routine inspired by the events of 2020. 

The controversial BLM-inspired routine had sparked 24,500 complaints to Ofcom.

The category also saw nods to Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) being revealed as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton and when Luke Skywalker appeared in the climax of The Mandalorian’s second season. 

The ceremony was hosted by Richard Ayoade, while Stacey and Vick took charge of the red carpet presenting.