Baftas 2020: Graham Norton jokes about diversity controversy in opening monologue

Host described the ceremony as ‘the year when white men finally broke through’

Graham Norton’s opening monologue for this year’s Baftas ceremony was filled with references to the diversity controversy that has clouded the awards season.

The trend “#BaftasSoWhite” dominated Twitter after the announcement of this year’s nominations last month, which saw a severe lack of diversity and representation across the acting categories.

Meanwhile, both Margot Robbie and Scarlett Johansson received double nominations.

When Norton came onto the stage, he called this “the year when white men finally broke through”.

Norton described Joker, which leads the pack with 11 nominations, as “the story of a white man who makes himself even whiter”.

Outside of the references to the lack of diversity within the nominations, Norton’s monologue was largely quaint and celebratory.

“I’m not going to be mean to anyone,” he joked, pointing out that he’s a chat show host so has never seen a film he didn’t enjoy. “I loved Cats,” he added. “I really did! Cats but with hands, so clever.”

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