Sunday night’s Baftas may have opened with a performance to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, but sadly that didn’t seem to help host Joanna Lumley with landing a joke.
The host’s quips failed to set either the Royal Albert Hall or social media alight as she opened the ceremony with a tongue-in-cheek roll call of who was in attendance.
Joanna seemed to have been let down by her scriptwriters as her jokes fell flat with the A-list audience, who remained almost silent throughout her monologue.

But given we all know what a comedy legend Joanna is, it was her script writer who bore the brunt of criticism on social media...
Joanna Lumley backstage to whoever wrote this opening monologue #baftas pic.twitter.com/EOdcJ2UzTT
— Shaun Kitchener (@ShaunKitchener) February 10, 2019
I love Joanna Lumley, but not quite sure the script writer quite got the measure of her style in this monologue.
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) February 10, 2019
I can say this as I'll certainly never be up for a Bafta
God, who wrote these lines? Joanna Lumley is dying up there... #Baftas
— Thomas (@notmyconcern) February 10, 2019
I love Joanna Lumley but she needs a better joke writer because this is excruciating #EEBAFTAs #BAFTA pic.twitter.com/YOK6gLa5o2
— Hanna Ines Flint (@HannaFlint) February 10, 2019
God will Joanna Lumley stop making terrible jokes at the BAFTAS, it is excruciating
— Frances Bellord (@FrancesBellord) February 10, 2019
Wow. Joanna Lumley is failing to land every single joke. Truly painful... #BAFTA pic.twitter.com/uWMANVuphK
— igmorrison (@igmorrison) February 10, 2019
I love Joanna Lumley but for next year's #BAFTAs can we get her some joke writers worthy of her talent please?
— James Wilson-Taylor (@mrjaytee) February 10, 2019
Oh my!! I ADORE Joanna Lumley but who on earth is responsible for her dire script!!!! I’m cringing!! #bafta
— Denise Welch (@RealDeniseWelch) February 10, 2019
Who wrote these opening jokes?! Joanna Lumley deserves better. #BAFTA
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) February 10, 2019
Jeez, who wrote these jokes for Joanna Lumley? This is a train wreck. 🙈 #BAFTAs2019
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 10, 2019
I love Joanna Lumley but WHO has written her script ?#tumbleweed #sheisworthbetter
— dawn wilson (@dawnoflincoln) February 10, 2019
Whoever is responsible for Joanna Lumley's script tonight must never be allowed to put pen to paper ever again. Diabolical!
— Lindsay Wilkinson (@GrebeWilkinson) February 10, 2019
Whoever wrote Joanna Lumley introduction jokes at @BAFTA awards should get a sense of humour. Terrible jokes. Embarrassing for her, her audience and the watching world.
— Nick Driftwood (@NickDriftwood) February 10, 2019
Oh my lord, whoever wrote Joanna Lumley’s jokes needs to kiss their future BAFTA ambitions goodbye. Shockingly bad. #BAFTAs #baftas2019
— Paul Benson (@PJBenson82) February 10, 2019
Joanna Lumley #BAFTAs2019 pic.twitter.com/2INt6rScGC
— Scott Parrish (@ScottLFC10) February 10, 2019
One thing people were loving a whole lot more was Joanna’s Absolutely Fabulous-inspired look as she hosted the awards.
Many were delighted to see her looking remarkably similar to her character in the classic BBC sitcom, Patsy Stone.
Joanna Lumley is such a good fit for the BAFTAs, and I love that she has come dressed as Patsy Stone #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/b8uqEXZAiW
— Ruth (@Starr_Hays) February 10, 2019
Absolutely loving that Joanna Lumley has done her hair in true Patsy Stone style tonight #BAFTAS
— Corey Kitchener (@CoreyKitchener) February 10, 2019
Joanna Lumley looks like she has stolen Patsy Stone’s wardrobe and I’m all for it #BAFTA
— Megan (@WhoisMegan_) February 10, 2019
I’m vibing Joanna’s Patsy look tonight. SHE IS FIERCE #Bafta2019 pic.twitter.com/0YWuc15zMW
— Vicky Chandler (@VickyChandler) February 10, 2019
Joanna Lumley has gone full Patsy. I adore her. #BAFTA
— hannah (@hannaahjane) February 10, 2019
Joanna Lumley has her Patsy bob!! Cheers sweetie🥂 #eebafta 🎭
— Jamie Halliwell (@ShadyEuroFreak) February 10, 2019
It was Joanna’s second year at the helm of the show, having succeeded Stephen Fry as host last year.
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Ash Percival Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK