His on-stage comment was met with a fierce Twitter backlash.

Shortly after the ceremony finished Fry responded to his critics saying: "So just a word to the tragic figures who think calling Jenny Bevan a bag lady was an insult. She's a dear friend and she got it. Derrr."

Another tweet said: "Will all you sanctimonious f***ers f*** the f*** off Jenny Beavan is a friend and joshing is legitimate. Christ I want to leave the planet."

He later posted a photo of himself posing with Beavan, captioned: "Jenny Baglady Beavan and Stephen Outrageous Misogynist Swine Fry at the #EEBAFTAs after party."