Greg Davies has been widely praised for his debut as host of the BAFTA TV Awards, with many noting his ability to balance self-deprecation with sharp, affectionate roasts. The Taskmaster star took the reins for the 2026 ceremony, following in the footsteps of comedy greats like Graham Norton, Sue Perkins, and Rob Beckett with Romesh Ranganathan.
Davies set the tone with an opening monologue that joked about personal grievances, including his comedy pal Ranganathan being nominated twice in categories where Davies himself received no recognition. He also addressed the changing landscape of television, poking fun at AI and celebrating “proper telly” while noting how reality TV has become more complicated since its early days.
The host’s ability to tap into relatable references was highlighted, particularly his gentle ribbing of national treasure Celia Imrie over her flatulence, a running joke from Celebrity Traitors that even US star Seth Rogen referenced during his acceptance speech for the BAFTA-winning series The Studio. Davies quipped: “Celia, you can relax. I say relax, not too much obviously.”
Davies’ seasoned professionalism and decades of industry experience were credited with enriching his one-liners, helping to pierce through what could have been a long and formal evening. The ceremony also saw Adolescence win big, though details of its awards were not specified in the source.
Overall, Davies was deemed a resounding success as host, with hopes expressed that he will continue in the role for years to come.
