Emma Watson appears to take subtle swipe at JK Rowling: 'I'm here for all the witches!'

Actress Emma Watson appeared to take a swipe at JK Rowling during her speech at last night’s 75th BAFTA Awards.

Famous for playing Hermione Granger, Ms Watson was introduced to the stage by show host Rebel Wilson who said: “Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she's a witch.”

Presenting the award of Best Outstanding British Film Emma Watson responded to Ms Wilson’s comment saying: “I'm here for all the witches!”

Many viewers believed Ms Watson’s emphasis on the word “all” was a poke at the Harry Potter author for her controversial comments on transgender people.

They took to social media to share their reactions. Joe Passmore posted the video clip online saying “Emma Watson is a queen for this".

Others criticised Ms Watson for snubbing the author that was "responsible" for her worldwide fame.

“Emma Watson says she's here for *all* the witches, in which case there is no better moment than now to remember the one witch who she owes her entire career to, the one who made it possible for her to stand on that stage today,” a Twitter user under the name @crowninglory said.

“If it wasn't for JK she wouldn't be on that stage,” @realjoegreeen said.

Some people jumped to Ms Watson’s defence, saying: “She’s there because of her own talent and merit as an actress.”

Earlier in the evening, Ms Wilson also lashed out at Ms Rowling.

The Australian actress opened the awards ceremony, hosted at the Royal Albert Hall, and addressed the fact she she'd had a “transformation” after losing weight.

She quipped: “I hope JK Rowling still approves.”

Big winners at this year’s BAFTAs included The Power of the Dog which took home the biggest award of the evening for Best Film.

Will Smith won Best Leading Actor for his role as King Richard and Sir Kenneth Branagh's film Belfast won the award for Outstanding British Film.