Stephen Fry grabs Meryl Streep for a kiss at the BAFTAs

Stephen Fry kicked off this year’s BAFTAs by hunting down Meryl Streep for a kiss.

Fry, 59, made his move on the Hollywood star as he resumed his role of host at the 70th annual awards bash at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

He said it has become a tradition for him to kiss a nominee ahead of the ceremony, and set about plucking Streep out of the star studded crowd.

He said: “It’s tradition for me to share a kiss with one nominee.”

Streep looked honoured to have been chosen and grabbed Fry around the neck as she pulled him in for a kiss.

The act was met with cheers from the audience before Fry made his way back on stage.

The tradition was started five years ago when Fry asked Brad Pitt to blow a kiss to the audience watching at home.

He has since locked lips with Cuba Gooding Jnr and last year encouraged Leonardo DiCaprio to pucker up with Dame Maggie Smith for his Kiss-Cam.

Streep will be hoping to take home the coveted Leading Actress gong at this year’s ceremony.

She has been nominated for her role as the titular character in Florence Foster Jenkins.

She faces tough competition from Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Natalie Portman.

Other stars up for awards include Dev Patel and Viola Davis for Best Supporting Actor and Actress respectively.