The Olivier Awards are back on the BBC and fans were bowled over with host Nick Mohammed also praised for his flawless delivery at the Royal Albert Hall tonight
Nick Mohammed hosted the 50th anniversary of the Olivier Awards
Viewers were quick to slam ITV’s coverage of the Olivier Awards, which made its long-awaited return to the BBC tonight.
Fans were left impressed by its return after years away with the live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall tonight. The great and the good from theatre and stage were there, as well as plenty of other big names, as the winners were announced in London.
The star-studded ceremony was back on the BBC for the first time in 23 years, and those tuning in are happy at the switch. Highlights from the glitzy bash included performances from this year’s nominees, including Paddington The Musical, Into the Woods, and Evita.
Viewers were also treated to spectacular celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera and the 20th anniversary of Wicked. Minutes into the show, fans flocked to X to share their delight that the Olivier Awards were back “where they should be”.
“Thank goodness we got a decent Olivier Awards show back on BBC at a decent time rather than the throw away coverage on ITV previously. Really enjoyed that,” one put, as another said: “The BBC really know how to do it right, don’t they. Can’t stop watching the Olivier Awards tonight!”
An impressed third person said: “Currently watching the Olivier Awards 2026 on BBC Two right now. Great acceptance award speeches about making sure that there are still charities to fund talented and new individuals through the acting door, in particular, the next generation.”
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Helen Mirren and Dame Arlene Phillips will all be on hand to dish out the awards, with Ted Lasso and Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed on hosting duties at the iconic venue.
The was plenty of praise for him online and one said: “Nick Mohammed is just wonderful as the olivier awards host” with someone else agreeing and they wrote: “Can Nick Mohammed host every award show for all eternity. He’s very good isn’t he? #olivierawards“.
The Queen sent her congratulations to Dame Elaine Paige on receiving this year’s Special Award and the royal said: “You have, quite simply, brought huge joy to untold numbers of people across the globe and we are in your debt.”
Paddington was the big winner on the night, with West End revivals of Evita and Into The Woods also winning plaudits. The smash-hit musical – which is adapted from the books by Michael Bond and the hit films – won in seven categories from 11 nominations including best new musical, best actor in a musical and best actor and actress in a supporting role.
It follows the adventures of the marmalade-loving bear from Peru, starring a life-like puppet of Paddington, and also picked up the prize for best costume design, best set design and the Sir Peter Hall award for best director. Paddington, currently on at the Savoy Theatre in London, features music written by McFly star Tom Fletcher and its book was written by playwright Jessica Swale.
Winners in full:
Best actor
Jack Holden for Kenrex at The Other Palace
Best actress
Rosamund Pike for Inter Alia at the National Theatre
Best actor in a musical
James Hameed and Arti Shah for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Best actress in a musical
Rachel Zegler for Evita at The London Palladium
Best actor in a supporting role
Paapa Essiedu for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre
Best actress in a supporting role
Julie Hesmondhalgh for Punch at the Young Vic and the Apollo Theatre
Best actress in a supporting role in a musical
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Best actor in a supporting role in a musical
Tom Edden for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Best new play
Punch by James Graham at the Young Vic and the Apollo Theatre
Best new musical
Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre
Best revival
All My Sons by Arthur Miller at Wyndham’s Theatre
Best musical revival
Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
Best costume design
Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Best sound design
Giles Thomas for Kenrex at The Other Palace
Noel Coward award for best new entertainment or comedy play
Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola at Trafalgar Theatre
Best family show
The Boy At The Back Of The Class adapted by Nick Ahad at Rose Theatre
Gillian Lynne Award for best theatre choreographer
Fabian Aloise for Evita at The London Palladium
Best set design
Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Sir Peter Hall Award for best director
Luke Sheppard for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Best lighting design
Aideen Malone and Roland Horvath for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
Outstanding musical contribution
Chris Fenwick and Sean Hayes for Good Night, Oscar at Barbican Theatre
Best new production in affiliate theatre
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams at The Yard Theatre
Best new dance production
Into The Hairy by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D at Sadler’s Wells
Best new opera production
Dead Man Walking by English National Opera at London Coliseum
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