Eddie Redmayne takes best actor at the BAFTAs

Eddie Redmayne’s widely acclaimed performance as Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything was last night rewarded with the best actor prize at the BAFTA Film Awards.

Redmayne described the honour as “one of the best nights of my life” and thanked the Hawking family for “their trust, their generosity and their kindness.”

The film also named most outstanding British film and won the award for adapted screenplay.

Julianne Moore won the best leading actress award for her role in Still Alice, the powerful and emotional drama about a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Richard Linklater scooped the best director prize for Boyhood which was also named the best film.

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel was the night’s biggest winner, taking five awards including costume design, production design, make-up and original music and best original screenplay.

Jack O’Connell beat a field of strong emerging talent to take the EE Rising Star in 2015 award – the only BAFTA voted for by the public.

The actor’s roles in TV’s Skins, Starred Up and Angelina Jolie’s film Unbroken has made him a firm favourite with audiences.

Spencer McHugh, Director of Brand at EE, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the British public has chosen Jack as their winner.

“This is the tenth anniversary of the award and once again we have seen an increase in votes, which is testament to credibility and popularity of the EE Rising Star award. Congratulations to Jack, a much-deserved winner.”