interview

‘Ant & Dec CAN SHOVE THEIR AWARDS UP THEIR ARSES!’

ROB BECKETT & ROMESH RANGANATHAN:

The comedians chat fancy crisps and colonics with Shereen Low

It’s past four in the afternoon and heat is in a hotel overlooking the River Thames with comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan. It’s been along day for the duo with photo shoots and press interviews to promote them hosting the BAFTA TV Awards for the second year running.

While they may be showing signs of flagging, the pair –dressed in matching black (“It wasn’t deliberate, the colour palette is limited when you get to this age,” Romesh tells us) –still deliver plenty of cheeky banter and jokes, with Rob often breaking into his unmistakable laugh.

Not only are Rob, 38, and Romesh, 46, returning to host the star-studded ceremony on 12 May, their show Rob &Romesh Vs is up for the Comedy Entertainment award. They’re also v ying for Entertainment Performance – in the first year allowing double acts –facing off against the likes of Ant &Dec, Graham Norton, Big Zuu and Hannah Waddingham. Tough category, indeed…

You’re back to host the BAFTA TV Awards for the second time –how excited are you?

Romesh: It’s mainly relief that we didn’t get rejected after the first one.

Rob: That’s about it. Get the second date over. Just don’t want to get blown out after

one. Blown out after two is to be expected.

What did you learn from last year?

Rob: It’s along night. Have comfy shoes and don’t wear a thick suit.

Romesh: You can sweat through a suit. That’s something I didn’t know until afterwards.

Rob: And yet Romesh didn’t bring a second pair of pants, so he wore rehearsal pants for the show.

Romesh: I will have two changes of underwear this time.

Anything else you’d do differently?

Romesh: I’d host it solo.

Rob: I quite like doing it with you, but I know your ego wants more. I think he’s trying to get rid of me because we’re at a crossroads with our double act.

Romesh: Are we?

Rob: Yes, because Romesh has won the BAFTAs without me. Whenever we’ve been nominated, he doesn’t win when it’s us together. We’re up for best Entertainment Performance –Romesh has already won this award a couple of years ago, so if we don’t win, not only will I have not made Romesh better, I’d have made him worse.

So, this could potentially lead to the end of your partnership?

Romesh: Yeah.

Rob: Yes, and do you know what? Good luck to you. Off you go. I’m not going to hold you back any longer. If I were you, I’d cut me loose.

Romesh: I’m thinking about it. It’s difficult, because we��