I want to thank Colin Firth for my opening line - 'I have a voice'.
As President of BAFTA, I am immensely proud of the success Brits have had in the fiercely competitive world of film, television and video games. Their creative and hi-tech achievements have contributed greatly to our national wealth, not to mention our personal pleasure.
Tonight I celebrate them: but I particularly celebrate the fact that, hard on their heels, comes another wave of enormously talented Brits, whom you have the chance to meet this evening. They deserve equal success and, with your help, will surely achieve it.
Please give them the opportunities you have always extended to some of the brightest and best that Britain has to offer. When American and British creative talent gets together, magic happens. Let's continue the winning formula. Catherine and I have been hugely looking forward to tonight's event with its exciting cast, British and American. Thank you all so much for coming. I believe great things will result. And now, as they say: "Lights, Camera, Roll, Action" ...
