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This year’s Bafta TV Awards were a strange, subdued affair thanks to social-distancing regulations – but there were some deserving and unexpected winners. Stath Lets Flats beat out tough competition in the form of Fleabag and Derry Girls to take home the Scripted Comedy award, while The End of the F***ing World won Best Drama Series.
The Best Mini-Series award, meanwhile, went to Chernobyl, and Glenda Jackson won Leading Actress for Elizabeth Is Missing.
The annual ceremony was broadcast on BBC One and was the first in its history to be held virtually.
Richard Ayoade hosted the event in a closed and socially distanced studio, with winners accepting their awards via video link.
A new category voted for by the general public, called Must-See Moment and recognising memorable scenes from British television of the last year, was won by the recent Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey, for the moment in which Nessa proposed to Smithy.
See the full list of winners here.
Catch up with the action as it happened:
2020-07-31T17:19:10.276Z
Good evening and welcome to our live blog of the 2020 Bafta TV Awards!
2020-07-31T17:36:22.036Z
A number of tonight’s nominees don’t just share the honour of a Bafta nomination, but also the honour of speaking to The Independent!
The legendary Glenda Jackson is up for Best Leading Actress for her role in Elizabeth is Missing – read our interview with her here:
2020-07-31T17:44:42.000Z
We also chatted with Best Leading Actor hopeful Callum Turner, who is nominated for the BBC thriller The Capture.
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2020-07-31T17:51:16.000Z
Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa gave one of this year’s best TV performances, and is in the running for the Male Performance in a Comedy Series award tonight. We spoke to him, too:
2020-07-31T17:56:02.000Z
As well as his fellow category rival Jamie Demetriou, who has been nominated for the series Stath Lets Flats. Read our interview here:
2020-07-31T17:58:57.000Z
Could the decision to speak to us be a good omen for their awards chances? Time will tell!
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2020-07-31T18:00:00.000Z
Here we go! Killing Eve was the big winner at last year’s TV Baftas, collecting gongs for Best Drama Series, Best Actress (Jodie Comer) and Best Supporting Actress (Fiona Shaw). Who will win big tonight?
2020-07-31T18:00:00.000Z
Disappointingly, Comer’s co-star Sandra Oh, who was also up for Best Actress last year, is nowhere to be found in this year’s nominees.
2020-07-31T18:00:00.000Z
Tonight’s ceremony will be somewhat unusual, with a small number of stars appearing in-person but separated due to social distancing. Others will appear via video link, including winners and nominees.
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2020-07-31T18:02:36.170Z
A fizzing (read empty) atmosphere at tonight’s socially distanced ceremony
2020-07-31T18:03:50.320Z
First up – Tim Minchin is beaming in from Sydney to perform a comedy song about, you guess it, the pandemic. “I know our job is to hold a mirror up to society, but I’ve been avoiding mirrors of late because things got so damn ugly.”
2020-07-31T18:04:21.133Z
“Let’s raise the rafters, it’s the 2020… Barftas”?
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2020-07-31T18:10:12.296Z
“Some nominees have recorded their acceptance speeches in advance, without knowing whether they’ve won or not,” says presenter Richard Ayoade
2020-07-31T18:11:19.860Z
The first presenters are Normal People’s Daisy Edgar Jones and the one and only Paul Mescal, here to present Best Entertainment Performance.
2020-07-31T18:13:30.946Z
And the Bafta for Best Entertainment Performance goes to…Mo Gilligan, for The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan
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2020-07-31T18:14:36.556Z
Somehow watching celebrities presenting awards to zero audience is even more awkward than I had anticipated
2020-07-31T18:17:03.263Z
Next up, the Bafta for Entertainment Programme goes to Strictly Come Dancing. “It’s the second time we’ve won this award…. in 17 series.” Is it just me, or is that a little bit pointed?
2020-07-31T18:21:21.210Z
Supporting Actress goes to Naomi Ackie for the End of the F***ing World! “Are you serious?! Oh wait, I’ve got to get my phone up!”
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2020-07-31T18:21:59.220Z
“This makes lockdown so much better,” concludes Ackie, in a heartfelt, thankfully non-pre-recorded speech
2020-07-31T18:25:38.816Z
The supreme Jeff Goldblum is presenting the next award, for Reality and Constructed Factual Award
The Independent employs reporters around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, please consider a contribution.
Follow the latest transfer updates live from the Premier League summer window as clubs look to strengthen throughout the summer ahead of the start of the new season. Manchester United look set to be one of the most active clubs of the window, with interest in Raul Jimenez, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish giving fans plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks.
United are understood to be ready to launch a move for Wolves striker Jimenez, while The Independent understands that Borussia Dortmund are ready and willing to come down to £60m in negotiations for England star Sancho. However, that spending could price them out of a move for Aston Villa captain Grealish, with the club unwilling to budge on their £80m valuation. Arsenal meanwhile have been offered the chance to sign former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona – for just £9m.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are ramping up their interest in Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as they look to replace current No 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Gareth Bale appears to have held talks with Wales boss Ryan Giggs over his uncertain Real Madrid future. Premier League new-boys Leeds United meanwhile are looking to add a bit of experience, with Danny Rose and former midfielder Fabian Delph on their radar. Follow the live updates below.
2020-07-31T14:41:08.010Z
News in from Italy, where Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has sealed a move to Napoli from Lille in a deal that is said to be worth as much as £74m in total, according to the Daily Mail.
Osimhen had been on the radar for both Arsenal and Chelsea, but the asking fee priced both clubs out of the market, and even late interest from West Ham failed to materialise into a Premier League move as Napoli have confirmed the transfer as they look to put together a squad capable of getting back into the Champions League.
2020-07-31T14:36:08.476Z
Richarlison has spoken out over his Everton future, having been linked in the past with moves to Barcelona and Manchester United.
The Brazilian has already held talks with manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has made it clear that he remains crucial to his plans at Goddison Park, but whether that convinces him to stay or not is yet to be determined.
Richarlison says that he could look to stay for another season with the club, but should the right offer come in, he will have to take it seriously and consider his options.
2020-07-31T14:21:30.153Z
Chelsea have dominated the headlines in the transfer window so far with the acquisitions of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, along with their interest in Kai Havertz, but if this season was anything to go by, it’s their defence that is in desperate need of strengthening.
One player who has remained on their radar is Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell, and Goal reports that the Blues will prioritise his signing over interest in other options, which includes Ajax’s Nicholas Tagliafico and Getafe’s Marc Cucurella.
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2020-07-31T14:09:07.240Z
Inter Milan are growing in confidence that they can talk Manchester United into parting ways with Alexis Sanchez for an affordable fee, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Serie A club have been pleased with the Chile forward’s contribution since arriving on loan at the San Siro, and hope that officials at Old Trafford are ready to cut their losses and allow him to move on.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to make the Sanchez experiment work and has told the former Arsenal man that he does have a future at United if he wants one, but could not guarantee that he will be a first-team regular anymore, which could see him move on to secure regular action.
2020-07-31T13:59:20.950Z
Manchester United are in the market for a centre-back and ESPN reports today that Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings is on their wanted list.
United have a host of centre-halves on their books but only Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have really impressed this season. As a left footed player Mings would also help to play a back three with Maguire in the centre.
Another option is also reported to be AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli.
2020-07-31T13:29:52.193Z
RB Leipzig have today handed a contract extension to the highly rated defender Dayot Upamecano, keeping him at the Bundesliga club until 2023.
The centre-back had been a reported target for Arsenal but now looks set to stay in Leipzig for the foreseeable future.
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2020-07-31T13:19:32.383Z
One of Manchester United’s hottest prospects, Hannibal Mejbri, will stay in the club’s development programme next season despite gathering interest for a potential loan move, reports the Daily Express.
The 17-year-old has excelled for United’s youth sides but the club are wary of rushing his progress and don’t want to push him too far too soon.
2020-07-31T13:06:41.710Z
A reminder of our top story this afternoon: Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona for only £9m plus one player, Matteo Guendouzi.
Coutinho does have high wage demands and a loan is another possibility, in what is likely to be a summer market full of loan deals. Here’s the full story:
2020-07-31T12:37:20.840Z
The only done deal of note so far today is the 20-year-old defender Sven Botman, who has swapped Ajax for Lille in an £8m transfer.
Botman has played through the age groups for Netherlands and spent a successful loan this season at Heerenveen.
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2020-07-31T12:23:27.640Z
A little more on Jadon Sancho: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants the deal completed as soon as possible, reports ESPN, after seeing Chelsea move so quickly to tie up deals for Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Solskjaer has asked executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to move quickly so he can have the maximum time to prepare his team for the new season, which is only six weeks away.
2020-07-31T12:07:12.423Z
City’s second potential signing could well prove to be Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, after the Austrian’s contract talks with the Bundesliga champions hit a stalemate.
German newspaper Bild report that Alaba’s agent has asked Bayern to pay the defender €20m a year in order to extend his contract, which is set to expire at the end of next season, but the club have not been impressed by his demands and are considering selling him this summer or letting him leave on a free transfer.
That has alerted Manchester City, who are in the market for a new left-sided defender despite Benjamin Mendy’s return to fitness after growing concerned with the Frenchman’s performances.
2020-07-31T11:00:48.060Z
The transfer window has not really been a friend of Arsenal’s in recent years. The club record £72m signing of Nicholas Pepe has not really paid off this season, while the less said about David Luiz, the better.
But this could be a move that really gets the juices flowing.
Chief football writer Miguel Delaney reports that the Gunners have been offered the chance to sign former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona – for the stunning fee of just £9m.
The catch? They will need to send Matteo Guendouzi in the opposite direction, though with Mikel Arteta looking to offload the Frenchman, that could play right into their hands.
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2020-07-31T10:25:50.866Z
Manchester City are on the hunt for not one but two major signings.
The first looks to be edging towards an imminent conclusion, with the club reported to have reached an agreement to pay Valencia £24.5m for winger Ferran Torres.
The 20-year-old has been lined up to replace Leroy Sane after the German left for Bayern Munich last month, and an announcement could come from City as early as today to confirm an agreed deal.
Having seen their Uefa ban lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, City are keen to strengthen their squad for their Champions League campaign next season with the ability to offer European football a major factor in who they will sign this season.
2020-07-31T09:47:28.616Z
Newcastle United have responded to yesterday’s news that the planned £300m takeover bid has collapsed.
Managing director Lee Charnley has offered hope to fans that the deal could yet be resurrected, adding “never say never” despite the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media issuing a joint-statement to confirm they have pulled the plug on the deal.
He also says that current owner Mike Ashley WILL support Steve Bruce with the club’s summer transfer window, but remains 100 per cent committed to selling Newcastle United.
2020-07-31T09:32:08.600Z
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2020-07-31T09:18:47.496Z
Tottenham are not willing to sell record signing Tanguy Ndombele amid reported interest from Inter Milan.
The Frenchman, who has also been linked to Barcelona and Bayern Munich, has had a torrid first year in English football and made just 17 starts following his £55million move from Lyon.
However, Press Association reports Spurs are not in talks with Inter or any other club and are committed to their investment, with chairman Daniel Levy not prepared to sell a player who they believe can come good.
Ndombele has shown flashes of brilliance but his first season in the Premier League has been undermined by fitness issues, while he has also taken time to adapt to the new culture without speaking much English. Spurs, including boss Jose Mourinho, are willing to be patient with the 23-year-old, believing they have a major asset in the squad.
Mourinho has tried different ways to get the best out of the midfielder, including several public dressing downs. The Portuguese complained Ndombele was “always injured” in January and then said his player had to give more after he was hauled off at half-time of the 1-1 draw at Burnley in March – his last start of the season.
But recently Mourinho has said he “will not give up” on Ndombele. “Every player is part of my plans,” he said. “Everyone. I don’t give up on players, no player has a privilege, all the same. No problem at all. Every player is part of my plans.”
2020-07-31T09:05:36.866Z
Gareth Bale has held talks with Wales boss Ryan Giggs about his future at Real Madrid, according to The Mirror.
Bale’s agent has spoken already this summer about his desire to remain in the Spanish capital, despite an apparent fractious relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane and a lack of first-team football.
That has led to concern from Giggs that Bale will be short on match fitness when Euro 2020 comes about next summer, but Bale has moved to appease the national team manager that he will be ready to go for the Euros even if he struggles for regular football next season.
He’s determined to stay at Madrid though largely because of the lack of possible options, with clubs unable to afford Bale’s hefty transfer feee and wages.
2020-07-31T08:47:53.673Z
News in from Liverpool, where chief executive Peter Moore has confirmed he will step down and leave the club at the end of next month.
Moore has been responsible for a lot of the off-pitch business that has allowed Liverpool to be so dominant on it, and he has paid tribute to Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool squad and the fans for making his three years at the helm so special.
Under his guidance, Liverpool have become English, European and world champions, and he will leave a large void to fill after helping the club not only dominate in recent seasons but turn in a financial profit in the process.
The club have already announced his replacement.
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2020-07-31T08:31:24.066Z
Sticking with Chelsea, the Blues remain keen on a new goalkeeper, and after being told in no uncertain circumstances that Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak is not for sale, they appear to have switched target.
Spanish daily Cadena Ser reports that the Chelsea have tabled their opening offer for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has cemented his place as the No 1 at the Nou Camp since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Any move for the Germany stopper will not be cheap, and Chelsea may well have to throw Kepa Arrizabalaga into the mix as Quique Setien will need a replacement should Ter Stegen depart.
Though Chelsea desperately want a new goalkeeper, the world class options on the market look limited and Ter Stegen will come at a premium.
2020-07-31T08:17:04.116Z
Some slightly alternative transfer news.
Chelsea have ‘vigorously denied’ allegations from Germany that director Marina Granovskaia asked her contacts to compile a dossier of Bayer Leverkusen’s hierarchy and their flaws and weaknesses, which could be used in transfer negotiations to lower the price of Kai Havertz.
Chelsea have been in hit pursuit of the attacking midfielder, but his £70m valuation is proving a stumbling block for their recruitment plans.
However, the club have said that the allegations are “complete fabrication” and are considering their options after legal action was taken in Germany.
David Alaba continues to attract interest from the Premier League with Chelsea joining Manchester City in chasing the Austuran full-back, who is currently stalling on a new contract with Bayern Munich due to a disagreement on wages, while City are also poised to make a double-swoop for Valencia winger Ferran Torres and Bournemouth centre-back Nathan Ake – having agreed a £41m fee with the recently-relegated club on Thursday.
Normal People co-stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal have shown their commitment to following social distancing guidelines while posing on the red carpet at the Bafta TV Awards.
On Friday, the pair, who are presenting during the mostly virtual ceremony, attended the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards held at Television Centre in London, where they kept their distance amid the coronavirus pandemic with the help of a tape measure.
For the award ceremony, which marked the co-stars first joint appearance since the release of BBC Three’s Normal People, Edgar-Jones opted for a black ankle-length Miu Miu gown with silver mesh embellishments.
The 22-year-old, who played Marianne in the TV adaption of Sally Rooney’s popular novel, paired the dress with black and silver Jimmy Choo heels.
Mescal, who played the part of Marianne’s love interest Connell, wore a grey Dior suit with a white T-shirt and white sneakers for the occasion. He accessorised the look with a Cartier watch.
On Instagram, the 24-year-old actor expressed his joy at being reunited with his co-star ahead of the ceremony.
“So happy to see my pal again! Thank you to @bafta for letting us present and @dior and @cartier for kitting me out,” the actor captioned the post, which showed a photo of him posing, as well as one of him and Edgar-Jones laughing as they used the tape measure.
Edgar-Jones also shared a photo of the reunion on social media, where she revealed her excitement at wearing something “other than slippers”.
“Thank you so much @bafta for having me and thank you @miumiu @Hourglasscosmetics, @jimmychoo,@publiceyecomms, @lipstickkelly, @georgenorthwood, @jessica_mccormack, @nicky_yates, @normalpeoplebbc for everything!” the actress wrote. “So lovely to see @paul.mescal and so lovely to wear something other than slippers.”
Ahead of the awards ceremony, the pair discussed the popularity of the show in an interview with Tom Allen, where Edgar-Jones revealed it is “surreal” to talk about the show in person with her co-star “because half the time, we’ve been, like, in our own rooms” as a result of the pandemic.
The Independent employs reporters around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, please consider a contribution.
This year’s Bafta TV Awards will see Fleabag, The Crown and Chernobyl battling it out for prizes.
The annual ceremony, which will be broadcast on BBC One tonight (31 July) at 7pm, will be the first in its history to be held virtually.
Richard Ayoade will host the event in a closed and socially distanced studio, with winners accepting their awards via video link.
In lieu of the red carpet, a special pre-show event will be live-streamed an hour before the actual ceremony begins.
Among those competing for awards include Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer and Elizabeth Is Missing’s Glenda Jackson for Leading Actress. Stephen Graham (The Virtues) and Jared Harris (Chernobyl) are among the Leading Actor nominees, while Fleabag sisters Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford are both up for Best Female Performance in a Comedy. The Crown is recognised via a Drama Series nomination, as well as Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor nods for Helena Bonham Carter and Josh O’Connor, respectively.
A new category voted for by the general public, called Must-See Moment and recognising memorable scenes from British television of the last year, will see Fleabag and Game of Thrones competing directly against Love Island.
Follow along with our live blog:
2020-07-31T18:54:45.826Z
Here’s part two of the nominees for Must-See Moments. First up, that Fleabag confession scene. Just give it the Bafta now?
2020-07-31T18:53:40.116Z
Next, the Bafta for Features goes to The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan
2020-07-31T18:46:07.590Z
This year’s Bafta Special Award, as we already knew, goes to Idris Elba
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2020-07-31T18:43:31.046Z
“I honestly don’t know what to say, this is so stupid and so weird and so surreal”
2020-07-31T18:43:05.586Z
And the award for Best Female Performance in a Comedy goes to Sian Clifford for Fleabag! “Oh my God! I don’t even believe in competition and all of the women I am recognised with, including the one who I wouldn’t be here [without]…” She sort of got distracted after that.
2020-07-31T18:39:19.533Z
All of the nominees for Best Female Performance in a Comedy are pretending (?) to pluck their chin hairs
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2020-07-31T18:37:56.656Z
Here are the nominees for must-see moments, which is the only award voted for by the public. Ruth Jones just described Nessa proposing to Smithy in the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as “the perfect end to a lovely journey”. I’m inclined to agree.
2020-07-31T18:35:00.690Z
And the Bafta for Comedy Entertainment Programme goes to Taskmaster
2020-07-31T18:31:44.733Z
The next award, for Comedy Entertainment Programme, is being presented by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, of course
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2020-07-31T18:30:37.273Z
The Bafta for Supporting Actor goes to Will Sharpe for Giri/Haji!
2020-07-31T18:27:34.076Z
And the Bafta goes to Races Across The World! Well deserved.
2020-07-31T18:26:47.293Z
Race Across the World was one of the best things I watched during lockdown, so I’m rooting for that…
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2020-07-31T18:25:38.816Z
The supreme Jeff Goldblum is presenting the next award, for Reality and Constructed Factual Award
2020-07-31T18:21:59.220Z
“This makes lockdown so much better,” concludes Ackie, in a heartfelt, thankfully non-pre-recorded speech
2020-07-31T18:21:21.210Z
Supporting Actress goes to Naomi Ackie for the End of the F***ing World! “Are you serious?! Oh wait, I’ve got to get my phone up!”
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2020-07-31T18:17:03.263Z
Next up, the Bafta for Entertainment Programme goes to Strictly Come Dancing. “It’s the second time we’ve won this award…. in 17 series.” Is it just me, or is that a little bit pointed?
2020-07-31T18:14:36.556Z
Somehow watching celebrities presenting awards to zero audience is even more awkward than I had anticipated
2020-07-31T18:13:30.946Z
And the Bafta for Best Entertainment Performance goes to…Mo Gilligan, for The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan
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2020-07-31T18:11:19.860Z
The first presenters are Normal People’s Daisy Edgar Jones and the one and only Paul Mescal, here to present Best Entertainment Performance.
2020-07-31T18:10:12.296Z
“Some nominees have recorded their acceptance speeches in advance, without knowing whether they’ve won or not,” says presenter Richard Ayoade
The Independent employs reporters around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, please consider a contribution.
Birmingham City have appointed Aitor Karanka as the club’s new manager, replacing Pep Clotet who departed earlier this month. The 46-year-old Spaniard has signed a three-year contract at St Andrew’s.
Karanka has previously managed fellow Championship sides Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough, leading the latter to the Premier League, but had been out of work since departing Forest 18 months ago.
Birmingham did not win a single league game from mid-February onwards, leading Clotet to depart at the start of July following a 3-1 defeat by Swansea City. Coaches Steve Spooner and Craig Gardner took caretaker charge of the team, earning only one point from the remaining four games and narrowly staying up on the final day of the season.
Slavisa Jokanovic and former manager Chris Hughton were both approached about the vacant role in recent weeks, but neither wanted it. Talks with Karanka were lengthy amid debate about the extent of his control at the club, and finally got over the line on Friday.
Karanka said: “I’m delighted to be joining a club with the history and fan base that Birmingham City has. I share the excitement and determination of everyone here to start working together on all the challenges that lie ahead. I want to thank the board for their willingness and the strong interest they showed in making me the head coach of this project.”
The club now face something of a rebuild to climb away from their status as relegation candidates this season, with key loanees returning to their parent clubs this summer, although there should be funds to spend after the sale of talented teenager Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund.
Dong Ren, Birmingham’s CEO, said: “I would like to give Aitor a very warm welcome to Birmingham City Football Club. We have followed his career for a number of years and throughout that time he has always been of prime consideration for the head coach position. So we are delighted that Aitor has now joined us and we look forward to working with him for the coming season ahead and future.”
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have praised their 13-year-old daughter Zaya “for leading us on our journey” and teaching them about the LGBT+ community while presenting an award at the GLAAD Media Awards.
On Thursday, while presenting Pose with the award for Outstanding Drama Series, the former basketball star said: “We stand as allies with the LGBTQ+ community as proud parents of a transgender child. Our daughter Zaya is leading us in our journey, and we’re doing all we can to give every one of our kids the ability to live their truth.
“I didn’t always understand how to do that, but I want to thank Zaya for teaching me, and GLAAD for elevating the images and messages that accelerate acceptance in every family,” the father-of-four continued.
This is not the first time Wade has acknowledged his dedication to learning about the LGBT+ community and what it means to be a parent to a transgender child.
In December, the professional athlete explained on video podcast All The Smoke that he has watched Zaya “become into who she now eventually has come into” and that “for me it’s all about nothing changes with my love. Nothing changes with my responsibilities. Only thing I have to do now is get smarter and educate myself more. And that’s my job.”
Union also took the opportunity Thursday to speak about being a parent to black children, and the importance of black lives, and black trans lives, adding: “That mission means even more to us now as we raise all of our black children.
“Black lives matter and black trans lives matter,” she continued. “We are calling on all of our racial justice warriors out there to open your hearts and your minds to the LGBTQ+ community so that we can work together and empower each other and save lives.”
The couple’s display of support for their daughter comes after Union shared a post about Zaya’s decision to come out as transgender in February.
“Meet Zaya,” Union wrote alongside a video of Wade and the 13-year-old. “She’s compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her. It’s okay to listen to, love and respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people.”
In the clip, in which Zaya can be seen having a conversation with her dad, she shared a message of support for others in the LGBT+ community, explaining: “[For those who] are afraid they will be judged, I would say don’t even think about that. Just be true to yourself because what’s the point of being on this Earth if you’re going to try and be someone you’re not?
“It’s like you’re not even living as yourself, which is the dumbest concept to me. Be true and don’t really care what the stereotypical way of being you is.”
The Independent employs reporters around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, please consider a contribution.
This year’s Bafta TV Awards will see Fleabag, The Crown and Chernobyl battling it out for prizes.
The annual ceremony, which will be broadcast on BBC One tonight (31 July) at 7pm, will be the first in its history to be held virtually.
Richard Ayoade will host the event in a closed and socially distanced studio, with winners accepting their awards via video link.
In lieu of the red carpet, a special pre-show event will be live-streamed an hour before the actual ceremony begins.
Among those competing for awards include Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer and Elizabeth Is Missing’s Glenda Jackson for Leading Actress. Stephen Graham (The Virtues) and Jared Harris (Chernobyl) are among the Leading Actor nominees, while Fleabag sisters Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford are both up for Best Female Performance in a Comedy. The Crown is recognised via a Drama Series nomination, as well as Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor nods for Helena Bonham Carter and Josh O’Connor, respectively.
A new category voted for by the general public, called Must-See Moment and recognising memorable scenes from British television of the last year, will see Fleabag and Game of Thrones competing directly against Love Island.
Follow along with our live blog:
2020-07-31T17:44:42.000Z
We also chatted with Best Leading Actor hopeful Callum Turner, who is nominated for the BBC thriller The Capture.
2020-07-31T17:36:22.036Z
A number of tonight’s nominees don’t just share the honour of a Bafta nomination, but also the honour of speaking to The Independent!
The legendary Glenda Jackson is up for Best Leading Actress for her role in Elizabeth is Missing – read our interview with her here:
2020-07-31T17:19:10.276Z
Good evening and welcome to our live blog of the 2020 Bafta TV Awards!
The Independent employs reporters around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, please consider a contribution.
Frank Lampard has backed fit-again Willian to produce another “fantastic” Chelsea performance in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Arsenal, even though his Stamford Bridge future remains unresolved.
Brazil winger Willian has shaken off an ankle complaint to be fit for Saturday’s cup showpiece contest at Wembley against the Gunners.
The 31-year-old signed a short-term contract extension to cover a season elongated by the coronavirus shutdown, but that expires after Chelsea’s Champions League exploits.
Arsenal are understood to be one of the clubs monitoring Willian’s situation, while Chelsea have previously offered the long-serving Stamford Bridge star new two-year contract terms.
Willian had been holding out for a three-year deal and could yet leave the Blues – but Lampard is convinced that the 70-cap Brazil star will be focused solely on steering Chelsea to FA Cup glory on Saturday.
Asked if he is sure that Willian will give everything to the Chelsea cause this weekend, Lampard said: “Yes, because I’ve known Willian for many years now as a player and now as his coach.
“And if anyone wants to see the mentality of him, it’s been shown since restart. He’s been fantastic for us, he’s been fantastic this season. He’s shown the right attitude.
“So I would expect nothing less than he’s shown already, and that’s Willian for you.”
France midfielder N’Golo Kante is also fit after hamstring trouble, in another boost to Blues boss Lampard’s resources ahead of facing Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
Kante has missed six matches after picking up his latest hamstring injury in the 3-0 win over Watford on July 4, but his return will bolster the Blues’ midfield ranks.
The luckless Ruben Loftus-Cheek will miss out however, having picked up an unspecified minor injury in training on Thursday.
Lampard’s main selection conundrum could revolve around whether to keep faith with veteran Willy Caballero in goal, or recall the out-of-sorts Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Kepa joined Chelsea in a goalkeeper-record £71million deal in 2018, but a string of erratic performances could see the Blues aim to loan him out this summer ahead of an eventual permanent move.
Caballero has been Lampard’s cup goalkeeper but also replaced Kepa for the crucial 2-0 victory over Wolves last weekend that sealed Chelsea’s fourth-place Premier League finish and Champions League qualification for next term.
“N’Golo Kante and Willian are in the squad, so we’ll see if they are fit to be in the starting XI,” said Lampard. “Ruben Loftus-Cheek has a small problem he picked up yesterday, so he’s out of the game.
Willian is available for the clash at Wembley (Getty)
“Selection will be difficult, because we have competition in the squad. And as you’ve seen through the season at times I’ve had to change it, I’ve felt the need to change it.
“And I always do it with the idea that can we win a game, can we be as strong as we can be, with considerations of what opposition are in front of us?
“And in big games like this it becomes slightly more difficult because I know how much players want to be involved in these games.
“But we have to be a strong squad, we have to be together on it, whatever the XI and people on the bench. Because in the last period for us, people on the bench have made a huge differences in certain games.
“We have to feel like we’re all together, and if we win it, it means a collective thing for us. So (it’s) difficult for me, it will be difficult for players to take, but then we go in positive and try to win as a group.”
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Between 5 March, when the UK had its first coronavirus-related death, and 31 July, the nation reached an official death toll of 45,999. This is much higher than estimates given in March by both an Imperial College study, which predicted 5,700 deaths, and by health chief Stephen Powis who said keeping the deaths below 20,000 would be a “good result”.
Despite the high numbers lockdown restrictions have gradually been eased. But on Friday, Boris Johnson warned that infection rates across England are slowly beginning to creep up. The prime minister described the situation as “the warning light on the dashboard” and said that it was necessary to reverse some planned measures. Chris Witty, the government’s chief medical adviser said at the same press conference, the UK was reaching “the limit of what we can do”.
These foreboding statements come just 24 hours after Mr Johnson warned that our European neighbours are beginning to experience signs of the much-dreaded “second wave”. On 28 July the prime minister said the UK must remain “vigilant” to such a threat – against a background of reports that he was “extremely concerned” a similar fate awaits the UK in two weeks’ time.
In spite of this, many do want to continue easing restrictions – not least because the economy needs people outside of their houses – but also because, as Mr Witty said on 31 July, there could be “big disadvantages” to waiting later in the year, until the winter, to start reopening.
The UK is still relying heavily on summer-compatible mitigation measures, such as encouraging socialising outside (in gardens or parks), queueing outside shops to reduce capacity, or visiting outside theatres, drive-in cinemas and concerts. In addition seasonal illnesses, like flu, are less prevalent in the summer months, giving more capacity for the NHS to deal with Covid-19, unlike in winter when it is historically overrun.
So as Mr Johnson is forced to “put on the brakes” on lockdown measures – on the hottest day of the year so far – how do our prospects look for the winter? Is it reasonable to expect, as Boris Johnson promised, that we will have a “more significant return to normality” by Christmas?
Will coronavirus be more dangerous in the winter?
On 14 July a report, requested by chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, found the UK could see 120,000 new Covid-deaths in a second wave of infections throughout winter. This was a model for a “reasonable” worst-case scenario, which they estimated would peak in January and February. Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), also warned there could bea “very nasty rebound”.
But why is this the case? Is it because Covid-19 will be more prevalent in the winter months? Early on in the pandemic reports suggested Covid could get worse as the weather turns colder, but this was largely because much of the early coronavirus modelling was based on the flu (both scientists and advisors were closely following a well-laid plan for flu, which explains why a policy of herd immunity was floated), which does get worse in winter.
As time has passed, it is apparent that Covid-19 does not operate in the same way as the flu, which is known to boom between December and March (flu particles love dry cold air which help them break up and spread further, and do not travel so well in moist hot air).
Robert Dingwall, professor of sociology at Nottingham Trent University and on the Department of Health’s Nervtag (New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Group), tells The Independent:“There is an assumption that Covid will behave like influenza but no evidence to show that. At the moment there doesn’t seem to be a seasonal impact – Australia has had Covid-19 in both summer months and winter months now.”
Micheal Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, agrees that cases elsewhere in the world suggest the winter won’t make things worse just because it is cold. “The increasing numbers of cases across hotter countries in the tropics suggest that sunshine and humidity are probably not a big factor in terms of the transmission.”
This also would explain why the summer hasn’t seen decreased cases, as was initially hoped it might, says Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at University of Reading. “In February lots of people were saying summer will get rid of it, the sunlight the heat, and I can understand why people say that but it’s not cold in Brazil and they’ve had a horrid time of it, it’s not cold in Florida or California in the USA either [both have high numbers of cases].”
If the virus behaves the same all year – can we expect the same rates as now?
Even if the weather has no bearing on the spread of the virus – there are other contextual factors to consider that might make coronavirus harder to deal with as we enter the winter. For example, changes in human behaviour or competing pressures on the NHS.
Dr Clarke says there is a possibility that people might be more inclined to take risks and see people indoors because of the weather: “You might sit in the garden with your friends at this time of year, you’re not going to be doing that in December, you are not going to want to sit in the park in January – not for very long anyway. The winter doesn’t afford the opportunity to be outside quite so much.”
Dr Jenna Macciochi, lecturer in immunology at the University of Sussex, agrees that the key concern will not be the temperature impact on the virus but this temperature impact on human behaviour. “Social distancing will be harder, this is definitely a concern, we know that social distancing in addition to other measures is super important in preventing spread. Being outside is also preferable to indoors and having nice weather makes this easier.”
Although Dr Dingwall says whether or not this is a problem will largely depend on ventilation in any given space. “I think maybe this is less of a problem than some people are making out – the extent of ventilation indoors will be the same as it is now, and it will still depend on people being infectious and in close proximity.”
What about other factors?
Even if the virus does not get worse in winter, and people continue to abide my lockdown rules – one non-negotiable difference is the strain on the NHS of competing pressures at that time of year. Frequently the NHS suffers a “winter crisis” that sees long waits in A&E and lack of bed space. This year the NHS will be dealing with the usual caseload as well as a backlog of regular non-coronavirus work that has been pushed back during the pandemic.
Head says: “Health services are typically more stretched during the winter months. This makes it even more important that we suppress cases now, and keep them as low as possible.” Dr Clarke is more specific and says the reason the NHS is “put under strain” at that time in the year is because of other respiratory tract viruses that occur in the winter months. “Flu is a concern – some years we have quite a mild flu and some years we don’t.”
The government has already put into place an extensive flu programme for this winter – with more people eligible than ever. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government had procured enough vaccine to roll out the “biggest programme in history” – for anyone over the age of 50 and children aged up to secondary school (as well as people who are normally eligible). It is hoped the uptake will be huge.
But Dr Clarke warns that the vaccine isn’t always successful – as much of it relies on guess work to identify the correct strains for that year. “There have been examples where they got the wrong strains, or they got the right strains but the vaccine doesn’t work terribly,” he cautions.
Dr Dingwall says even if the vaccine wasn’t a success we may not necessarily have to worry about flu season, precisely because Covid-19 is still hanging around. “There are weird dynamics between respiratory viruses – they seem to kind of crowd each other out. So if one is prevalent at high levels, others tend not to get a look in. Nobody quite understands this phenomenon but it has been noticed in competition between influenza and others in the past.”
He says there is already some indication from Australia that this might be the case – Dr Clarke also says that the social distancing measures and increased hand washing might just be stopping people from contracting flu in the first place, when they normally might.
Can we expect to be “back to normality” by Christmas?
Dr Clarke says there might be some good news in that because we know more about the virus now than we did before – the winter months are not as difficult to cope with. “We might handle it better in the winter because we’ve been there, done that. We’ve got bigger testing capacity so people won’t go without a test and doctors and nurses know better how to treat it as well.”
But he does warn that people will need to be more aware of having winter colds and coughs, which frequently we would still go to work with. “People should be conscious that it is quite normal really once you hit late autumn early winter for people to cough or and sneeze – think how many times you’ve gone into work and people come in with colds.
“But an ordinary sniffle – people cannot assume that it is a cold this year because it might be something much more significant. Normally if you have that and take time off work that is frowned upon but I cannot possibly see how that will be allowed this year.”
Dr Clarke says that although something approaching normality is “desirable”, that politicians shouldn’t be “putting the idea in people’s head that December this year will be the same as December last year.”
Head agrees we can expect the measures that are in place now to still be in place until next year: “Infection control measures will be in place for many months and potentially years to come, and a complete return to the normality of 2019 will not be here any point soon.”
