‘Why on earth are they interviewing her?’ Geri Horner mocked for getting prime Bafta coverage

Viewers were baffled as to why the singer had a long chat with host Alison Hammond at the event
Dominique Hines20 February 2023
The Weekender

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Baffled viewers questioned why Spice Girl Geri Horner got a prime interview slot at the 76th EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday.

The singer was interviewed by Alison Hammond as part of the ceremony's backstage coverage called BAFTA Studio, “an immersive and access-all-areas experience” for BBC One.

In the sit-down chat, which took place while the on-stage show was happening, Horner, 50, spoke to Hammond about how much she was enjoying her evening and shared her thoughts on the winners so far.

The star was at the ceremony to present the Original Score prize with American actress Rita Wilson, which was won by All Quiet On The Western Front, but the moment was not broadcast on television.

Film fans took to Twitter to question why she was featured so prominently backstage.

Alison Hammon interviews Geri Halliwell BAFTA BBC1
Alison Hammond was joined by Geri Horner and actor Martin Freeman
BAFTA/BBC1

One tweeted: “Dear BAFTA, why is it acceptable to not have all the craft categories properly televised but have Alison Hammond spend 5 minutes interviewing Geri Halliwell?

“Clearly more interested in celebrity than the crews who have worked really hard.”

Another wrote, sarcastically: “Don't get this segment with Alison Hammond... And why’s movie heavyweight Geri Halliwell there?”

Another noted: “So we don't see an actual award but we're suddenly watching an interview with Geri Halliwell?”

EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023 - Special Access Arrivals
Geri, with her husband Christian Horner, was also mocked for wearing what viewers branded a wedding dress to the film awards
Dave Benett

A fourth commented: “Ok they're really cutting to Geri Halliwell instead of watching actual awards being given. I give up."

Someone else tweeted: “I love Alison Hammond. But. Please. Make. It. Stop. Wasting time that should be for the award winners... What has she got to do with film? Spice World was not a movie."

“WTF Geri Halliwell/Horner! Why on earth are they interviewing her? Stop messing with the ceremony," insisted another viewer.

Meanwhile, other viewers expressed their amusement over Horner's outfit, which they compared to a wedding dress on screen while sat next to Hammond and actor Martin Freeman.

EE British Academy Film Awards 2023 - Press Room - London
Cate Blanchett poses with the award for Leading Actress for Tar in the press room at the 76th British Academy Film Awards
PA

One fan even joked that Hammond was in fact officiating a wedding between Horner and Freeman.

The biggest night in British film returned on Sunday evening with actor Richard E. Grant joining Hammond as co-host, while film critic Ali Plum was on the red carpet with presenter Vick Hope.

Austin Butler was awarded Best Actor at the awards, in a shock win over favourite Colin Farrell, while Cate Blanchett bagged the Best Actress gong for her performance in the biopic, Tar.

Netflix's German war epic All Quiet On The Western Front was the big winner of the night with a total of seven awards, including Best Film.

The Banshees of Inisherin followed with five, including Best British Film.

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