Anti-Trump rants will turn BAFTA 'political', fear BBC bosses

London [UK], Feb. 1 (ANI): The 2017 awards season has been rife with celebrities voicing their views on Donald Trump-both onstage and on the red carpet- and with the BAFTAs only two weeks away, it has been reported that BBC bosses fear award-winners will once again use their speeches to promote their political views. According to The Sun, the producers of the ceremony believe an endless string of speeches regarding the Presidential election would be a 'disaster' - resulting in the BBC broadcast potentially being edited if more than 'the odd reference' is made, reports the Daily Mail. BAFTA bosses are now reportedly afraid that this year's ceremony, taking place on February 12, will be full of celebrities vocalising their political standpoint - thus detracting from the films being recognised. An inside source told the paper: "Having 15 back-to-back Trump speeches would be a disaster and would take complete attention away from the films." "Nobody wants to tell the stars what they should or shouldn't say and bosses expect the odd reference. But the last thing they want is a string of political rants - particularly with Trump's UK visit and his Muslim ban in full flow," the source added. The insider went on to warn that if any went beyond a brief comment and begin to discuss racism, their speech may be edited - as the live ceremony and broadcast take place two hours apart. An official BAFTA spokesman said of the matter: "We respectfully ask all winners to keep their acceptance speech short." Most notably, actress Meryl Streep used the Golden Globes to slam the new President for mocking a disabled reporter in 2015 - branding him a 'disrespectful bully.' Other actors who spoke up were Ashton Kutcher, who said America welcomes 'everyone at airports' and John Lithgow, who acknowledged that 'Doubt' star Meryl had 'managed to speak his exact thoughts'. (ANI)