Paul Mescal was left very red faced at the 2026 BAFTAs as host Alan Cumming called him out for being on his phone during the star-studded ceremony.
The Irish actor, 30, who missed out on the Supporting Actor gong to Sean Penn, was caught in the act of scrolling through his phone as Scottish host Alan attempted to get his attention.
Oblivious Paul completely messed up Alan's gag as he introduced the next award, leaving the A-lists crowd in hysterics.
Alan said: 'The next award is for Outstanding British Film in honour of Alexander Korda, Paul, Paul, oh he is on his phone'.
Paul looked up from his phone in complete shock and confusion before bring his hands over his face in embarrassment and laughter.
'You were suppose to do the gag, don't you worry', laughed Alan.
Hamnet was among the big winners at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards, despite star Paul missing out on his honour.
The heartbreaking Chloe Zhao film was awarded the coveted honour of Outstanding British Film, beating out acclaimed hits including I Swear and The Ballad of Wallis Island.
And 12-years-old child stars Jacobi Jupe and Olivia Lynes looked overjoyed as they shared a sweet hug on stage at The Royal Festival Hall as they joined the cast on stage.
Presented by rapper Stormzy, director Sam Mendes said that the process of making the film, based on the book by Maggie O'Farrell, had been 'just wonderful for everyone involved in it.'
He added: 'I have to shout out to my co-producer Steven Spielberg for his commitment to film and to film makers, and for loving this movie from the very start.'
Jacobi and Olivia couldn't contain their smiles as they proudly stood behind Sam with Paul and Chloé wrapping their arms around them.
Despite praise for his performance as a young William Shakespear, leading star Paul failed to win the award for Supporting Actor, losing out to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another.
The actor, who was also snubbed during Oscar nominations, made his red carpet debut with girlfriend Gracie Abrams at the BAFTAs.
Oblivious Paul completely messed up Alan's gag, he said: 'The next award is for Outstanding British Film in honour of Alexander Korda, Paul, Paul, oh he is on his phone'
Paul looked up from his phone in complete shock and confusion before bring his hands over his face in embarrassment. 'You were suppose to do the gag, don't you worry', laughed Alan
Hamnet was among the big winners at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards, despite star Paul missing out on his honour
The couple packed on the PDA on the red carpet as the singer-songwriter wowed in a backless black patterned dress as she gave the Irish actor a kiss on the cheek before they both looked lovingly into each other's eyes.
The couple have been in a relationship since 2024 but largely keep their relationship out of the spotlight.
Gracie, 26, looked gorgeous in a black patterned dress as she looked adoringly at her partner.
Meanwhile Paul also posed with Jessie, 36, who cut a glamorous figure in a bright blue velvet dress.
It was Jessie who won the big award of the evening as she bagged Best Actress for her role in Hamnet.
Jessie, who is already tipped as a favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actress, used her acceptance speech to thank her fellow nominees.
She said: 'This is really such an incredible honour. As a little girl I never thought in a million years I would be allowed to make a film but here I am.'
'When I arrived into my agent Lindy King in London, and I had nuclear bad fake tan on, white hoop earrings, a polka dot red skirt and dress, and I had the audacity to say to her that I dreamed to someday be something like Judi Dench.'
Despite praise for his performance as a young William Shakespear, star Paul failed to win the award for Supporting Actor, losing out to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another.
The actor, who was also snubbed during Oscar nominations, made his red carpet debut with girlfriend Gracie Abrams at the BAFTAs.
'I don't know how on gods green earth she even dreamed that was possible. Thank you Lindy for always encouraging me to be disobedient and curious and human.'
'This really does belong to the women who have taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.'
Thanking her fellow nominees, Jessie forgot to include Kate Hudson and asked the audience: 'Who have I left out?'
She then added 'I am in awe of all your incredible performances thank you.'
'Maggie O'Farrell thank you for this role. You brought the mother out of the shadows and stood her next to that absolute giant that is Shakespeare.'
EE BAFTA FILM AWARDS 2026: THE WINNERS
| BEST FILM | HAMNET | MARTY SUPREME | ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - WINNER | SENTIMENTAL VALUE | SINNERS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM | 28 YEARS LATER | THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND | BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY | DIE MY LOVE | H IS FOR HAWK | HAMNET - WINNER | I SWEAR | MR BURTON | PILLION | STEVE |
| OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER | THE CEREMONY Jack King (Director, Writer), Hollie Bryan (Producer), Lucy Meer (Producer) | MY FATHER'S SHADOW Akinola Davies Jr. (Director), Wale Davies (Writer) - WINNER | PILLION Harry Lighton (Director,W riter) | A WANT IN HER Myrid Carten (Director) | WASTEMAN Cal McMau (Director) | |||||
| FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE | IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT | THE SECRET AGENT | SENTIMENTAL VALUE - WINNER | SIRĀT | THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB | |||||
| DOCUMENTARY | 2000 METERS TO ANDRIIVKA | APOCALYPSE IN THE TROPICS | COVER-UP | MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN - WINNER | THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR | |||||
| ANIMATED FILM | ELIO | LITTLE AMÉLIE | ZOOTROPOLIS 2 - WINNER | |||||||
| CHILDREN'S & FAMILY FILM | ARCO | BOONG - WINNER | LILO & STITCH | ZOOTROPOLIS 2 | ||||||
| DIRECTOR | BUGONIA | HAMNET | MARTY SUPREME | ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER Paul Thomas Anderson - WINNER | SENTIMENTAL VALUE | SINNERS | ||||
| ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY | I SWEAR | MARTY SUPREME | THE SECRET AGENT | SENTIMENTAL VALUE | SINNERS - WINNER | |||||
| ADAPTED SCREENPLAY | THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND | BUGONIA | HAMNET | ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - WINNER | PILLION | |||||
| LEADING ACTRESS | JESSIE BUCKLEY Hamnet - WINNER | ROSE BYRNE If I Had Legs I'd Kick You | KATE HUDSON Song Sung Blue | CHASE INFINITI One Battle After Another | RENATE REINSVE Sentimental Value | EMMA STONE Bugonia |