Rebel Wilson makes dig at JK Rowling as she's announced as BAFTAs 2022 host

Rebel Wilson has been named as the host of this year's BAFTAs ceremony, making a joke about JK Rowling as she shared the news.

The Australian actor, known for her roles in films including Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect and Jojo Rabbit, will oversee the ceremony for the 75th EE British Academy Film Awards.

Read more: Harry Potter's Evanna Lynch denies film cast gave JK Rowling 'cold shoulder'

Sharing the announcement from BAFTA and acknowledging her own recent weight loss, she tweeted: "I’ve recently gone through a huge transformation so hopefully JK Rowling approves of me hosting the 2022 @BAFTA‘s"

Wilson appeared to be making a joke about Harry Potter author Rowling's comments on gender identity, but it fell flat with some of her audience.

One person commented: "What do you think you’ll achieve by drawing a target on another woman’s back and adding to the attacks against her? She doesn’t care if you’ve lost weight, save that for your pick me feminist friends and leave @jk_rowling to actually defending other women. We see you."

Someone else linked to Rowling's essay on gender issues and added: "Here's JK Rowling's essay. What exactly do you object to here? Use quotes please, not bizarre analogies to weight loss."

It will take place at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, 13 March and will air on BBC One.

Wilson, 41, said: "I am very honoured to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where COVID will no longer exist because it will clearly have been cancelled by then.

Read more: The full list of BAFTAs 2021 winners

"It's going to be so much fun! I don't wanna put any pressure on this - I know I'm not going to be funny because I am no longer fat. And besides, I'm not going to 'sweat-it' with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can't sweat...or cause offence to people because of my adorable Australian accent.

"So basically I'll just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench and together we'll both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean ‘bond’.

"This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises such as Harry Potter and not such as Cats. Everybody's going to love it, I'm sure! See you guys in March!"

Read more: Rebel Wilson lost weight to boost fertility and freeze eggs

The 2021 ceremony was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic and was held largely virtually, with all nominees appearing on video call while the presenters attended in person.

Chief executive of BAFTA Amanda Berry said: "We are delighted to welcome Rebel Wilson as this year's host of the EE British Academy Film Awards. Rebel has stolen the show at several previous Film Awards, and we’re hugely excited to see her bring her fantastic charisma and humour to the whole show as we celebrate the very best in film.

"We would also like to thank Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary who did a truly wonderful job hosting last year’s ceremony in exceptionally challenging circumstances and we look forward to working with them again in the future."

Nominees for the 75th EE British Academy Film Awards will be announced on Thursday, 3 February.

Watch: Richard Ayoade jokes there's 'no atmosphere' at TV BAFTAs