David Tennant vows not to 'roast' anyone as he prepares to host 'toned down' BAFTAs after 'p***ing off Cate Blanchett' last year

David Tennant has vowed to tone down his 'roasts' at the 2025 EE Bafta Awards as he prepares to take on hosting duties for a second year.

Last year, the actor admitted he 'p***ed' off Cate Blanchett as he made a joke at her expense during the ceremony which was attended by Prince William. 

David said he has 'learned' from last year and his goal is to try and make sure no one is left feeling 'uncomfortable' while he is attempting to be 'witty'. 

Speaking to Radio Times, David said: 'The BAFTAs are supposed to be kind, last year we weren't trying to roast people, but there was a joke about Cate Blanchett, and she looked a little bit annoyed, a little bit p***ed off. 

'And I remember going, "Oh God, no. I think you're brilliant. I was just trying to be witty and make a point about how you've got lots of prizes, and we love you." 

'So, I think if I've learned anything, it's probably that I'm not interested in picking fights or making anyone feel in any way uncomfortable. If I have a style, it's only that.'

During last years ceremony, David made a joke about actress Cate leaving the audience and viewers in laughter.

He said: 'I've only learned from hosting tonight, there are only two people in the world who know who've won. I always thought like the seat planner would know and they'd put winners at the front or the end of the aisle. 

'No, they've got hidden cameras and they can pick you up anywhere, so if you've got to scramble and climb over Cate Blanchett to get your hands on an award, that is what you do.'

David took over hosting duties from Richard E Grant last year and will present the ceremony from the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in central London. The ceremony will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer, Britbox in the US and Australia.  

During his first year of hosting the awards, more than 20 million viewers tuned in with many catching up on ceremony highlights on social media.

David, who has appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Good Omens, Broadchurch, and Doctor Who, most recently has captivated audiences in the television drama Rivals.

His acclaimed theatre work includes Much Ado About Nothing, Richard II, Hamlet, and his recent portrayal of the titular role in Macbeth.

It comes after David's West End production of Macbeth was cancelled on multiple occasions because the actor and cast caught swine flu, it has been revealed earlier this month. 

Theatregoers hoping to see the Doctor Who actor as Shakespeare's Scottish anti-hero were left disappointed at the end of last year when four performances were scrapped due to 'company illness'. 

Now, actor Cal MacAninch, who played Banquo in the tragedy, has revealed the cast including Tennant were hit by a bout of swine flu. 

MacAninch - who starred in period dramas Downton Abbey and Mr Selfridge - said they should have been more 'respectful' about the infamous 'curse of Macbeth'.  

According to the superstition, saying the play's name inside a theatre - other than when rehearsing or performing - is bad luck, so it is often nicknamed 'the Scottish play'.

The curse is said to have caused all manner of toil and trouble for productions of Macbeth over the years - and at their peril, McAninch said they did not adhere to the curse's superstitions. 

And with this one ravaged by a virus, it seems the cast could have done with taking Lady Macbeth's famous words as she washes her hands, 'Out, damned spot', more literally. 

David, 53, starred as Macbeth alongside Olivier-nominated British actress Cush Jumbo, 39, as Lady Macbeth in the West End from October to December 2024.