As David Tennant gears up to host the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards, he has made it clear that he intends to steer clear of jokes that could leave nominees feeling uncomfortable.

The actor recently reflected on a moment from last year’s ceremony that didn’t land as intended, revealing that a quip he made about Cate Blanchett didn’t receive the intended reaction from the actress.

Speaking to Radio Times, Tennant shared: “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.’”

Tennant, best known for his role in Doctor Who, emphasized that his hosting style is more about celebrating the industry than making attendees the butt of the joke.

David Tennant plans to steer clear of provocative jokes during this year’s BAFTAs (Image: Getty)

He added: “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 year’s ceremony, Tennant made a lighthearted remark about Blanchett in his opening monologue.

As he discussed the evening’s potential winners, he joked: “I always thought, like the seat planner would know and they’d put winners at the front, at the end of an aisle but no, they’ve got hidden cameras, 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.”

The actor made a subtle joke about Cate Blanchett during last year’s ceremony (Image: Getty)With a smile, he added, “It’s a metaphor for the acting industry generally,” prompting laughter from the audience. However, Blanchett’s reaction suggested she may not have been entirely amused.

Tennant has made it clear that he wants to take a different approach to hosting than some other big industry names who lean into more provocative humour.

While events like the Golden Globes have historically embraced the tradition of roasting Hollywood’s elite, including this year’s ceremony where Nikki Glaser mocked Timothée Chalamet’s singing voice and Martin Short’s desire for fame, Tennant is making it clear that he sees the BAFTAs as an opportunity to honour those in the film industry.