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Both Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet have arrived on the red carpet - and the ever elegant Blanchett has attracted much praise for her McQueen gown, which she showed off with aplomb - despite the freezing London weather.

No word on what Winslet is wearing yet...

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There is small protest at this year's Baftas - picking up on the ongoing row about the lack of diversity at this year's Oscars, which take place in two weeks time.

Members of the Creatives of Colour Network lined up beside the red carpet with a banner which read: "The TV and film industry are male, pale and stale. In fear of diversity, opportunity and inclusion. We want a quota system."

Bafta dodged the #OscarsSoWhite complaints - with two black actors nominated in the key categories: Idris Elba (best supporting actor) and John Boyega (Rising Star).

Alicia Vikander, nominated for two awards, said it was "utterly wonderful to be invited" to the Baftas, having been brought up on British cinema and now living in the UK. 

She said she was drawn to The Danish Girl, in which she plays the wife of Eddie Redmayne's transgender pioneer, but that she "was amazed that I did not know more about these two pioneering women".

Check out her leather dress... apparently it weighs 35lbs.

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John Boyega is on the red carpet, posing for selfies and signing autographs. 

The Star Wars star is shortlisted in the Bafta Rising Star award, the only award of the evening that is voted for by the public.

"It feels fantastic... I can't believe I'm here," he told Lizo.

The 23-year-old revealed that he was beginning filming on Star Wars: Episode 8 tomorrow.

"I have a 6am pick-up... can we make it 6.30am, guys, I'm at the Baftas!" he joked.

Image source, Getty Images

Rising star candidate Bel Powley, nominated for Diary of a Teenage Girl, told BBC's Lizo Mzimba that  it was "surreal, but exciting" to be on the Bafta red carpet.

"It's inspiring to know that if you want something and you work hard to get it, eventually it can happen."

Mark Ruffalo, who's up for best supporting actor for Spotlight, got all excited meeting fellow thesp Richard E Grant. 

Bafta will be handing out 24 awards during the evening - with all eyes on the big ones - but naturally, you have to wait until the end for those! 

Here's a rundown of the shortlist in the major categories. 

Best film

The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, Carol, The Revenant, Spotlight

Outstanding British film

45 Years, Amy, Brooklyn, The Danish Girl, Ex Machina, The Lobster

Best actor

Bryan Cranston (Trumbo), Matt Damon (The Martian), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)

Best actress

Cate Blanchett (Carol), Brie Larson (Room), Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn) Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van), Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)

Supporting actor

Christian Bale (The Big Short), Benicio del Toro (Sicario), Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation), Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight), Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies)

Supporting actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Rooney Mara (Carol), Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Julie Walters (Brooklyn), Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)

Read the full shortlist.

SPOILER ALERT!Winners revealed as they are announced - two hours ahead of ceremony broadcast on BBC One.

Stars have begun arriving on the red carpet at London's Royal Opera House for this year's British Academy Film Awards, with British acting royalty rubbing shoulders with Hollywood glitterati.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Star Wars John Boyega are among those expected to pick up awards - while bookmakers have tipped Catholic Church child abuse drama Spotlight to win the best film prize.

We'll be reporting on all the glamour and glitz, the speeches and the loser faces as the evening unfolds...