2019, was a simpler time, when our main preoccupation was what the f was going to happen between Fleabag and the Hot Priest in the final series of Phoebe Waller Bridge’s magnificent Fleabag.
And, of course, we were transfixed by the performance of Sian Clifford as Fleabag’s uptight sister Claire (the scene where Claire reveals her horrendous new haircut to the world and notes ‘I look like a pencil’ will live on forever in the memory of any woman who’s ever experienced that unique sinking feeling you only get after a truly terrible trip to the hairdressers (so that’ll be all of us then).
READ MORE: Can I Still Watch The BAFTA TV Awards, And Who Won?
So it was a joy to watch Clifford win the best female performance in a comedy programme in a live Zoom reveal during last night’s socially distanced TV BAFTAs which she was nominated for along with long-time friend and co-star Waller-Bridge. She later revealed to Grazia that the pair had been planning to watch the announcement together, but experienced sound feedback, so Clifford had to ‘break into’ a friend’s house down the road for the big moment, but the pair were soon reunited.
’She ran over and gave me the Godmother’s statue, so that was pretty special.’ Clifford is of course referring to the gold bust in the show that their Godmother/evil stepmother-in-waiting played by Olivia Coleman made, which Fleabag steals.
Clifford also revealed how the famous ‘I look like a pencil’ line came about. ‘I remember I was in a tent, someone was fiddling with my costume, and Phoebe was like, what could it be, what could it be, what could it be, and we were waiting on getting clearance on something else, and she starts running across incomes inn fields, and she swung back, limbs flailing and said “what about, she looks like a pencil.” And I was like yeah… it had to be that, it was perfect - and I looked like a pencil.’
READ MORE: All the best moments between the Hot Priest and Fleabag
All The Best Moments Between Fleabag And The Hot Priest - Slider
1 of 31'So hot!'
Where it all began... Fleabag and her sister agreeing that The Hot Priest is in fact hot after the first time they meet him.
2 of 31'So you're a cool priest now then?'
'So you're a cool priest now then?'
3 of 31THP then inviting over Fleabag for a cup of tea, only then to crack out the M&S canned G&T. (The store has since said sales have gone up by 24%)
THP then inviting over Fleabag for a cup of tea, only then to crack out the M&S canned G&T. (The store has since said sales have gone up by 24%)
4 of 31The first sign they were meant to be... 'I haven't been asked a question in 45 minutes' cue The Hot Priest asking, 'So, what do you do?' before she can even finish her sentence.
The first sign they were meant to be... 'I haven't been asked a question in 45 minutes' cue The Hot Priest asking, 'So, what do you do?' before she can even finish her sentence.
5 of 31Absolute power move, flirting with The Hot Priest after going to church literally just to see him.
Absolute power move, flirting with The Hot Priest after going to church literally just to see him.
6 of 31The painting falling down when she says she doesn't believe in God.
The painting falling down when she says she doesn't believe in God. Cue THP shouting, 'I love it when he does that!'
7 of 31THP: 'You were in my prayers last night.' Fleabag: 'Likewise.'
THP: 'You were in my prayers last night.'Fleabag: 'Likewise.'
8 of 31The look of realisation when she utters: 'Oh God, I fancy a priest'
The look of realisation when she utters: 'Oh God, I fancy a priest'
9 of 31THE INVESTIGATION AS TO WHETHER PRIESTS CAN HAVE SEX BEGINS.
THE INVESTIGATION AS TO WHETHER PRIESTS CAN HAVE SEX BEGINS.
10 of 31'Do you really want to fuck the priest, or do you want to fuck God?'
Fiona Shaw making a guest apperance from Killing Eve as Fleabag's therapist.'Do you really want to fuck the priest, or do you want to fuck God?' 'Can you fuck God?''Oh yes.'(She correctly predicts what is going to happen too, all powers to Fiona Shaw.)
11 of 31Fleabag: 'She orgasmed when she finished it.' The Hot Priest: 'Whatever gets you there.'
Fleabag: 'Don't say it, don't say it. She actually orgasmed when she finished it. I just said it, appaently.'The Hot Priest: 'Whatever gets you there.'
12 of 31'Arm touch, oooh.'
'Arm touch, oooh.'
13 of 31'I can't believe I’m asking this, but can I get that coconut back? They’re actually on hire. I’m not sure if all of them are real, which is morally a bit dubious actually.'
'I can't believe I'm asking this, but can I get that coconut back? They're actually on hire. I'm not sure if all of them are real, which is morally a bit dubious actually.' (The disappointment on her face that he hasn't asked for something else is v sad.)
14 of 31The Hot Priest being scared of foxes.
The Hot Priest being scared of foxes.
15 of 31WHEN HE BREAKS THE FIFTH WALL AND NOTICES FLEABAG TALKING TO THE AUDIENCE. ALL THE PROOF THAT THEY ARE MEANT TO BE. Also excruciatingly awkward.
WHEN HE BREAKS THE FIFTH WALL AND NOTICES FLEABAG TALKING TO THE AUDIENCE. ALL THE PROOF THAT THEY ARE MEANT TO BE. Also excruciatingly awkward.
16 of 31Fleabag helping The Hot Priest choose his robes. Couple goals.
Fleabag helping The Hot Priest choose his robes. Couple goals.
17 of 31'HIS NECK!'
'HIS NECK!'
18 of 31The Hot Priest laughing to himself after Fleabag gets up to say 'I sometimes worry I wouldn't be much of a feminist if I had bigger tits.'
The Hot Priest laughing to himself after Fleabag gets up to say 'I sometimes worry I wouldn't be much of a feminist if I had bigger tits.'
19 of 31'And then, for some reason, I was thinking about your tits which kind of ruined it.'
'And then, for some reason, I was thinking about your tits which kind of ruined it.'
20 of 31'I think you played with my guinea pig quite enough.'
'I think you played with my guinea pig quite enough.'
21 of 31'I can't read a Winnie The Pooh quote without crying. Fuck.'
'I can't read a Winnie The Pooh quote without crying. Fuck.'
22 of 31Piglet.
Piglet.
23 of 31'Sometimes, I worry I'm only in it for the outfits.'
'Sometimes, I worry I'm only in it for the outfits.'
24 of 31That confession scene.
That confession scene.
25 of 31When the sexual tension is finally broken, only for Fleabag to freak out whether he is wearing a skirt AND trousers.
When the sexual tension is finally broken, only for Fleabag to freak out whether he is wearing a skirt AND trousers.
26 of 31Olivia Colman eloquently shrieking that The Hot Priest a cunt (as soon as he leaves, obviously) when he says he can't officiate their weddding.
Olivia Colman eloquently shrieking that The Hot Priest a cunt (as soon as he leaves, obviously) when he says he can't officiate their weddding.
27 of 31'Please don't come to the church, I mean that with the greatest of compliments.'
'Please don't come to the church, I mean that with the greatest of compliments.'
28 of 31'Nine times?'
'Nine times?'
29 of 31'I can't have sex with you because I'll fall in love with, and while I won't burst into flames, my life will be fucked.'
'I can't have sex with you because I'll fall in love with, and while I won't burst into flames, my life will be fucked.'
30 of 31'We're going to have sex, aren't we? Mm, yeah'
'We're going to have sex, aren't we? Mm, yeah'
31 of 31The inevitable happens, obviously. Oh God.
The inevitable happens, obviously. Oh God.
Clifford spoke about the pair’s longstanding friendship in an interview with Grazia last year. The pair grew up near each other but met at RADA, where the pair made a pact with each other as students: ‘A sort of silent commitment,’ she told Grazia, ‘that we would help each other out. We’ve backed each other all the way. I mean, I’m only here now because my friend fought a very hard battle to get me an audition.’
We’re so glad to see that 14 years later that pact still stands.