Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan on unaired Baftas bust up
Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett are back to host the biggest night in British television on BBC One - the BAFTA TV Awards 2024. After making their hosting debut last year, the hilarious duo admit that it’s a “relief” to be invited back, particularly as one of their award night barbs nearly led to a BAFTA brawl backstage.
“The UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 won Best Sports Coverage and there was one bloke who was really celebrating,” Rob says. Romesh adds: “Rob said something along the lines of, ‘He was so excited, you would have thought he’d turned out for the line-up.’”
“He then shouted from the sidelines, ‘You want some?’” Rob says of the moment that was edited out of the show. “It’s stressful getting started on at any point of the day, but when you’re hosting the BAFTAs, it’s not ideal is it?”
Romesh agrees, “It’s a very awkward situation to go from hosting the BAFTAs to being in a car park having a tear-up afterwards.” When it comes to drama, the pair are hoping for less of it in real-life and more of the award-winning kind, with the likes of Slow Horses, The Crown, The Last of Us, EastEnders and other big shows up for gongs this year.
The hosts are also nominees this year as they’re in the running to win Best Entertainment Performance as a pair and Best Comedy Entertainment for their show Rob and Romesh Vs. With Romesh already the recipient of two BAFTAs for other projects, he admits that a loss this year could spell the end for his partnership with Rob.
“The awkwardness is if we don’t win Entertainment Performance together, not only have I not made Romesh any better, I’ve actively made him worse. So Romesh will have a decision to make,” Rob says.
“It’s not a tough decision,” Romesh adds. “It will be over. Were you nominated before you started working with me? No. Did I get nominated before I started working with you? Yes. See what I’m saying?”
The BAFTA stars have been close since starting out on the stand-up circuit over 10 years ago. “I was hearing about people that are good and Rob’s name was getting mentioned,” says Romesh, who also hosts The Weakest Link, The Ranganation, The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan and stars in comedy Avoidance.
“We became friends from there and our careers have moved forward in the same way - BAFTA win aside. He’s one of my best friends.”
Rob adds, “We’re the same - except when it comes to dressing room size on tour and money.” The pair understandably haven’t had time to watch all of the nominees, but they’re rooting for a few major shows.
“We can’t watch everything - I’m already a negligent husband and father as it is,” Romesh says. “But I want Succession to win. It’s my favourite thing I’ve seen on TV in years.”
However, Rob wants fan-favourite Happy Valley to win Best Drama series. “I think it’s a bit more of a plucky choice.”
Romesh adds, “The title is so far removed from what the show actually is. There’s a valley but it’s not happy.”
The duo are bringing their wives - Leesa Ranganathan and Lou Beckett - to the ceremony, but admit that their kids won’t be watching at home. “My kids love me but if I said you can stay up and watch the BAFTAs or stay up to watch a blank screen, they would choose the latter,” says Romesh, who shares three sons with Leesa. “I don’t think they even know we’re hosting.”
Rob, who has two daughters with Lou, laughs: “My kids are eight and six. They’re not watching the BAFTAs. They couldn’t care less about what we do.”
As for BAFTA dos and don’ts, Romesh admits that he learned not to meet his idols after an embarrassing interaction with Idris Elba one year. “The first time I went to the BAFTAs, I went with my mum and wife and they both wanted to meet Idris Elba.
“It didn’t happen because I’d spoken to Idris and it had gone quite badly. He was with Tom Hiddleston and I made a joke. Tom then whispered something in Idris’ ear and they moved away.
"My wife said to me, ‘That was embarrassing.’ My mum didn’t talk to me for the rest of the evening. It’s for that reason that when I see people I really like, it’s better I don’t approach them.”
With an exciting night ahead and a monologue of jokes planned, Rob and Romesh are ready for a second round of successful hosting - although they’re prepared if it does kick-off with a disgruntled nominee on stage again.
“I think I would just start crying,” Romesh admits. Luckily, pal Rob sweetly has his back. “There’s two of us. If someone were to come up and punch you, I’d go for it,” he laughs. “Although it would be the end of our careers!”
The BAFTA Television Awards 2024 air on Sunday 12th May at 7pm on BBC One.
