Absence of Ant & Dec doesn’t make Bafta nods any less predictable

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For the second time in four years, but only the third in the past 20, both Graham Norton and Ant & Dec have missed out on a Bafta TV nomination for best entertainment performance. The trio collectively won the award nine times between 2000 and 2020. Since then they have fallen short as the industry becomes less hegemonic. But it is not as if new talent is being recognised. The only nominee not to have been up for the award before is Bob Mortimer, who has been in TV comedy for more than 35 years. There is hope for new faces in 2027. If Saturday Night Live UK delivers on its early promise, the runners and riders could look very different.