Jonathan Ross told the audience that he was "nervous" to be hosting the Baftas - fresh from his suspension over the Andrew Sachs obscene phone calls row.

As the show opened, the TV and radio presenter told the audience that while he looked calm, "inside I'm shaking like Christian Bale's PA".

He described the night as "the biggest and most exciting event in the British cinema calendar" and joked about Kate Winslet's nominations for roles in films which were difficult to say with a speech impediment - Revolutionary Road and The Reader.

Referring to Winslet's emotional acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, he told winners to feel free to "do what you want" tonight, as long as it was "in a crisp 30 seconds".

"In case emotions get the better of you, and we know who I'm talking about Kate, we've asked the Thames people to raise the flood barrier, we're safe."

Earlier veteran actor Patrick Stewart said he was happy to have Ross as host.

"I think it's absolutely fine that Jonathan Ross is doing it tonight," he said. "We've got to let go of that - there are more important things to get upset about."