British actor Colin Firth scooped the prize for best male for his role in the Tom Ford directed A Single Man. Whilst picking up the prize Firth said he wanted to thank the man who came to fix his fridge because he had distracted him from sending Ford an email turning down the part. The best actress prize went to another Brit and relative newcomer, Carey Mulligan for her part in An Education. As she accepted her Bafta she told the audience she was so stunned she had nothing to say. She said that she wished she had a story about a fridge like Firth.

James Cameron who very nearly missed the ceremony because his plane was late said that he was okay with Avatar not winning best film because he was happy that a sci-fi movie had even been nominated. He said of his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow that her film was good and that she is an excellent film maker.

Also announced at the awards was Prince William’s position as the fifth president of Bafta. He will take over from Lord Richard Attenborough.