(Picture: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

Sacha Baron Cohen might have given Rebel Wilson a run for her money when it comes to being the standout at the BAFTAs this year.

Since the Oscar nominations were announced last month, with no actors of colour being nominated in any of the major acting categories, the issue of diversity in the film world has been hotly debated.

Everyone from Will Smith to George Clooney has weighed in on the topic, and even this year’s Oscars host Chris Rock is set to address it during his opening speech.

The BAFTA nominations had escaped scrutiny…until last night when it was the comedian’s turn.




The man behind Borat and the upcoming Grimsby appeared on stage to present the award for best actress and he didn’t hold back.

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(Picture: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

‘The main reason I agreed to present at this awards ceremony is that BAFTA has shown none of the discrimination and prejudice, which is so shamefully on display at the Oscars,’ he began.

‘It gives me great pride that every year BAFTA makes sure that one of the lead actress nominees is a dame…Dench, Smith…’

(Picture: Getty Images)

And to really hammer the point home, he joked: ‘The nomination for best white actress goes to…’

Watch the eyebrow-raising moment below.

To have been a fly on the wall when that happened.

Comment of the night goes to Sacha Baron Cohen, calling it out brilliantly! ?#EEBATAs — Luke Spillane (@lukespillane) February 14, 2016

Sacha Baron Cohen says what nobody else wants to say and for that reason he's a legend. #EEBAFTAs — Monica Lee (@MonicaBLee) February 14, 2016

Sacha Baron Cohen just slayed The Baftas! — RADаковић (@ImBoomSheSaid) February 14, 2016

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#BAFTA laugh out loud moment when #SachaBaronCohen says "the winner of the best white leading actress goes to" hahaha pmsl!! ?????? — Sofia (@SofiaYounis) February 14, 2016

Hats off to you Sacha Baron-Cohen, needs to be said; though the epidemic is in the industry casting, not the awards #EEBAFTAs — James Ward (@jraward) February 14, 2016

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Sacha Baron Cohen an absolute LEGEND at the BAFTAs just there. — Suba Das (@SubaDasDirects) February 14, 2016

Would be way more interesting if Sacha Baron Cohen presented all of the BAFTAs — A_M (@ArranMcAskill) February 14, 2016

Think that's the last time Sacha Baron Cohen ever gets to present an award! Brilliant ??? — Daniel G (@__girv) February 14, 2016

Sacha later told media at the ceremony that he thinks there is ‘prejudice’ in the film industry.

The Sun quotes him as saying: ‘The problem is the actual make up of the film – production staff, directors, actors are generally white. I don’t think the members of the academy are racist. They aren’t presented with enough films of diversity. It’s not just African Americans, it’s Latinos as well.’

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