Paloma Faith left BAFTA viewers raging after turning up to the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards wearing an enormous bicorne-style hat — and then keeping it on throughout the ceremony despite fans complaining nobody seated behind her would be able to see the stage.
The 44-year-old singer arrived on the red carpet alongside her Celebrity Traitors co-star and close friend Alan Carr in a dramatic black fringed gown paired with the oversized headpiece, which was tied beneath her chin with a ribbon. Almost instantly, viewers compared the bizarre accessory to something worn by Napoleon Bonaparte or Admiral Nelson.
But while many initially assumed the hat was just part of her red carpet look, audiences at home were stunned when Paloma kept the gigantic accessory on after taking her seat inside the venue beside Alan.
Social media erupted within minutes, with furious viewers sympathising with whoever had been placed behind her during the ceremony.
One person wrote: “Sorry for who is sitting behind Paloma and that hat.”
Another posted: “I’d be pretty p****d off if I was sat behind Paloma Faith in that hat.”
A third joked: “Thoughts and prayers for whomever is sat behind Paloma Faith tonight at the BAFTAs. They’re not going to see anything on stage as she’s wearing Admiral Nelson hat on her head.”
Others were even harsher, with one viewer blasting the star as “inconsiderate and entitled” for refusing to remove the enormous headwear during the broadcast.
Despite the online backlash, Paloma appeared in high spirits throughout the night, especially after Alan Carr picked up the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award for Celebrity Traitors.
During his acceptance speech, Alan hilariously paid tribute to his friend and co-star, joking: “There’s no one else I would rather murder than you,” referencing the dramatic twists from the hit BBC series.
He then laughed: “Was I good, or was everyone else just really thick?” after admitting he was shocked to have outsmarted the rest of the celebrity contestants.
Elsewhere during the ceremony, Owen Cooper continued his unstoppable awards streak by winning Best Supporting Actor for Adolescence, while his on-screen mother Christine Tremarco pulled off one of the night’s biggest surprises by taking home Best Supporting Actress.
The Netflix drama Adolescence also won Best Limited Drama, capping off a huge night for the series and its creator Stephen Graham, who was visibly emotional as Christine accepted her award on stage.
