With less than four weeks until a general election, there have been rumbles that Bafta is trying to avoid any controversy arising from the acceptance speeches.

The Guardian reported on Thursday, external that Bafta had asked winners to stick to talking about "a short anecdote or an interesting detail about the production".

The advice comes a year after some winners used their speeches to defend the independence of the BBC just days before the government published a white paper on the corporation's future.

And it led one unnamed nominee to complain about Bafta's "nannying tone".

The sun is coming out again (typical British weather), so more stars are stopping to say hello to the crowds and pose for photos...

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Tim Masters
Arts and Entertainment correspondent

It all started in bright sunshine. And then about an hour after the stars began arriving, the black clouds rolled in.

Suddenly the skies opened and guests were running to take shelter.

I spotted Ant and Dec hurrying down the red carpet. Michael McIntyre took refuge under a covered staircase. And Joanna Lumley was doing her interviews under an umbrella.

Good news though. The sun has reappeared, and Benedict Cumberbatch is on his way.

We already know one winner - Joanna Lumley is being honoured with the prestigious Bafta Fellowship.

She's known for playing the champagne-sipping Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous - and she told the BBC what it was like when she found out she was the recipient:

Have a look back at her sparkling career: 

• Joanna Lumley: Six times she was absolutely fabulous

The breakout star of Strictly Come Dancing, Ed Balls, has just hit the red carpet, and the rain hasn't stopped him from stopping to speak to the press.

He is nominated tonight for Must See Moment for his performance of Gangnam Style on last year's Strictly. "I think we're really pleased to be nominated, it was a great season of Strictly," he said.

Alan Carr certainly isn't letting the rain dampen his spirits...

Daniel Mays is nominated for best supporting actor for Line of Duty - despite only appearing in one episode of series three before being killed off.

He said he "did wonder whether I’d be in the running" but is "thrilled to be here representing Line of Duty".

The stars who arrived early must be thanking their lucky stars right now, as the sun has disappeared and the heavens have just opened.

The crowd is a sea of umbrellas, but many of tonight's nominees are still powering through and stopping to speak to the waiting journalists. Here are a few people who arrived a little earlier...

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

We'd love you to share your thoughts with us this evening - whether it's letting us know who you think has given the best acceptance speech or which shows have been unfairly snubbed.

There are plenty of ways you can get in touch.

On social media, you can follow us on Facebook, external, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, external, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents, external. 

You can also send us your thoughts via email - entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Jared Harris is the first of many stars from The Crown to arrive on the red carpet, telling us he was "thrilled, excited and glad for the show" when he found out it was leading this year's Bafta TV nominations, with five nods.

The Baftas - the only night of the year when the stars of Hollyoaks rub shoulders with Grayson Perry?

Image source, PA

Here are the shows that have the most nominations. It could be a good night for Netflix's drama about the royal family. Or could one of the other series emerge as the big winner tonight?

• The Crown - 5
• Damilola, Our Loved Boy - 3
• Fleabag - 3
• Happy Valley - 3

See the full nominations list

Chabuddy G from BBC Three's People Just Do Nothing - surely one of TV's greatest characters - is on his way to London's South Bank and has tweeted this photo from his cab. 

Naturally, he's kitted out with grillz and sunglasses. We'll forgive him for stealing our outfit idea this time around since he pulls it off so well.

Katie Piper and Scarlett Moffat have also posted photos of their dresses and are en route to the red carpet...

This is it, the crowds have gathered and the red carpet is officially open. Stay tuned for the stars...

The Baftas aren't broadcast on BBC One live - they take place an hour or so before they go out on TV.

For that reason - there will be spoilers on this page.

If you want to wait and be surprised when you watch the TV broadcast, it's probably best that you steer clear of this page - as we'll be posting live updates of who has won what before they're revealed on TV.

Welcome to the BBC's live coverage of this year's Bafta TV Awards. 

We'll be here with you throughout the evening, bringing you outfits and interviews from the red carpet, then live coverage of the ceremony from 19:00 BST.