David Tennant’s Beetlejuice joke aimed at Donald Trump removed from 2025 BAFTA Awards broadcast by BBC

LONDON, ENGLAND: BAFTA Film Awards 2025 host David Tennant made a few jokes about President Donald Trump which were removed by BBC when the ceremony was aired on Sunday, February 16.

BBC chopped the final broadcast from three hours to two due to time constraints which led to some of Tennant’s jokes, including the one where he compared Trump to the supernatural character Beetlejuice, being removed.

BBC edits David Tennant’s Donald Trump jokes

In one of the jokes which was removed, David Tennant compared Donald Trump to the supernatural character Beetlejuice. He said, "Donald Trump—I’m worried. I’ve said his name three times. It’s like Beetlejuice—I’ve summoned him."

Beetlejuice, or sometimes spelled Betelgeuse, is a sinister, mischievous, and obnoxious ghost who seeks to spread chaos and mayhem in the living world.

Another joke that was removed referenced 'The Apprentice', the film which had Sebastian Stan as a young Trump. The host joked that the POTUS had probably never watched the movie because "it’s a 15 and it’s not on Nickelodeon", per The Independent.

Moreover, Tennant’s comments about 'Conclave', including comparisons between the movie's setting and 'Pop Idol', and a joke about Stanley Tucci making the best Bellini cocktails, were also omitted from the broadcast.

However, one of Tennant's Trump jokes made it into the final cut where he poked fun at Trump’s signature hairstyle.

"It’s the boldest architecture in film this year, apart from Donald Trump’s hair in 'The Apprentice'," he said, referencing 'The Brutalist', which stars Adrien Brody as a visionary architect. 

Another joke that was not removed from the broadcast compared Trump to infamous villains like "Nosferatu, Hugh Grant in 'Heretic', and most chilling of all, ('Wallace and Gromit' antagonist) Feather McGraw".

In a statement issued by BBC, the network explained that the show’s broadcast requires editing due to time constraints. The network added that the edits were not unusual as the awards show needs to be shortened before it broadcasts.

However, the video uploaded on YouTube by BBC had the Beetlejuice joke.

Internet divided as David Tennant cracks jokes on Donald Trump at 2025 BAFTA Awards

People on the internet stayed divided and shared mixed reactions as David Tennant made a few jokes on President Trump at BAFTA Films Awards despite many jokes being edited out due to time constraints.

A user wrote on X, "Wow! A bunch of elite leftists giving themselves one big circle jerk. Oh yea they are teaching us."

Another added, "As if Donald Trump knows who David Tennant is, much less care about anything he has to say."

A person stated, "David Tennant roasting trump just solidified what i knew since i was 9 years old… he's fyne s***", whereas one mentioned, "Tried watching BAFTAs. But as soon as Trump got dissed and Mark Hamill was shown laughing. Switched off. David Tennant mocked Trump by saying about his hair. Then when he said and on to other villains. Pathetic."

Meanwhile, a user also wrote, "David Tennant saying “Talking of villains” after saying Donald trump oh I do adore him."

A comment read, "'Trump's hair in the apprentice... Talking about villains !' Oh David Tennant the man that you are #BAFTA2025."

A person added, "I’m loving the fact that David Tennant referred to Trump as a villain in his speech."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.