Rebel Wilson reveals big fear ahead of hosting BAFTAs

Rebel Wilson has admitted her one big fear ahead of hosting the British Academy Film Awards this weekend.

Rebel Wilson has opened up about her fear of being “cancelled” ahead of her hosting duties at the upcoming EE British Academy Film Awards.

In January, it was announced that the Australian comedian and actress would take on the coveted hosting role, with the official BAFTAs Instagram account posting that they “can’t wait for Rebel to bring her trademark humour and unique charisma to the ceremony”.

However, the Pitch Perfect actress admitted in a new interview with UK magazine Radio Times that hosting high-profile awards ceremonies had become a bit of a minefield.

“Your head is on the chopping block as the host, which is a bit scary. I get very nervous,” Wilson said.

“It’s a very hard time for comedians, because what can you say without being cancelled?”

Around the time she was announced as host, Wilson joked that she wasn’t going to be funny because of her recent weight loss – and poked fun at Prince Andrew’s infamous “sweat” claim.

“I am very honoured to be hosting the British Academy Film Awards in March, where Covid-19 will no longer exist because it will clearly have been cancelled by then,” Wilson said in a statement.

“It’s going to be so much fun! I don’t wanna put any pressure on this – I know I’m not going to be funny because I am no longer fat. And besides, I’m not going to ‘sweat it’ with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can’t sweat.”

The BAFTAs will be held this Sunday, March 13 (Monday AEDT).

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Wilson poses with heads on sticks used to arrange seat placings at the photocall ahead of the awards night. Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

The star stole the show during the 2020 ceremony, making jokes about Prince Andrew, box office flop Cats, coronavirus and a lack of female nominees as she presented the award for best director.

“It’s really great to be here at the Royal Andrew … Royal Albert Hall,” she began, to laughs from the crowd.

The camera flashed to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who looked less than impressed by the reference to their controversial family member, who has received global backlash for his links to late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

She then moved her attention to the epic failure that was Cats, which she starred in, making reference to her black and red dress.

“The red is from that one time I didn’t win Miss Australia. And the black is from a funeral I just went to for the feature film Cats,” she said.

“Cats … Strangely not nominated for any awards. Even in this best director CATegory.”

Rebel also made a cheeky jab about females being under-represented in the awards as she prepared to announce best director, which went to Sam Mendes for 1917.

“I don’t think I could do what they [directors] do. I haven’t got the balls,” she said, which was met with roaring laughs.

Originally published as Rebel Wilson reveals big fear ahead of hosting BAFTAs