Joe Lycett sparks debate after blocking audience's view at BAFTA’s with extravagant outfit inspired by royal

The British Academy Television Awards took place last night but all anybody can talk about is Joe Lycett’s regal-inspired getup at the gig.

The comedian, 35, appeared on the red carpet at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday evening (May 12).

The annual event saw the likes of Happy Valley’s Sarah Lancashire and Top Boy’s Jasmine Jobson receiving top gongs, while Joe won a BAFTA for his work on the Channel 4 show, Late Night Lycett.

However, his royal-inspired look for the evening stole the show and has since set social media ablaze.

In pictures, Joe channelled Queen Elizabeth I with freshly died orange hair and a silver cape gown.

The reflective dress was paired with an Elizabethan-style high-neck ruff, pointed-heeled boots and fans - one manual and one battery-powered.

Joe’s attire, which resembled the former English monarch who reigned between 1558 and 1603, was worn after losing a bet with his aunties.

The star said that if his aunties Margaret and Pauline accumulated 200,000 followers on Instagram, he would attend the show dressed as the Elizabethan icon.

However, the spectacle has received backlash after one attendee admitted he was forced to sit behind Joe at the event.

The man took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: “In case you were wondering who had the fun of sitting behind Joe Lycett at tonight’s #BAFTAs then wonder no more. @BAFTA @joelycett.”

In reply, one user wrote: “Impressive that the headgear also matched the staging. Not that you could see much of the stage from the position you’d been allocated."

“I really like Joe Lycett, but the lack of forethought for the people behind him as lowered my opinion of him a touch,” commented a second.

Another typed: “What a selfish p***k. Him, not you.”

However, many other entertainment fans have praised the former Great British Spelling Bee star for his innovative outfit.

One said: “And the best dressed award at the BAFTAs goes to… Joe Lycett as Queen Elizabeth I.”

"I absolutely love that @joelycett has brought his aunties and Don One to the BAFTAS. And is dressed like Queen Elizabeth I,” wrote another.

A third quipped: “Joe Lycett has really been slaying lately.”

After beating out the likes of Hannah Waddingham and Graham Norton in the Best Entertainment Performance prize, the Birmingham-born star appeared on stage and said: “I lost a bet, hence this. I’m so hot and I need a p***!”

“I wrote down some things… oh, thanks to my mum and dad, Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII!”

Joe then sincerely thanked his Late Night Lycett creative team and the people of his hometown before exiting the stage.