Cumber-bashed! Emotional Eddie Redmayne delivers an impassioned speech as he dedicates his Best Actor BAFTA win to 'extraordinary' Professor Stephen Hawking... as he beats rival Benedict again

  • The British actor thanked his relatives, his fellow actors and the family of Stephen Hawking
  •  It is the actor's second victory over Benedict Cumberbatch, who received the same hat trick of nominations for his performance as wartime codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game 
  • The Theory Of Everything also won the awards for Outstanding British Film and Adapted Screenplay 
  • Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel swept the board as it scooped up five prizes on the night
  • Richard Linklater's Boyhood nabbed the most prestigious prizes of all: Best Film and Director 
  • Jack O'Connell had a huge night winning the EE Rising Star Award - as voted for by the British public

By Nola Ojomu for MailOnline

He was the favourite to win Leading Actor at the 2015 EE British Academy Film Awards, but it was clearly still a shock for Eddie Redmayne when it was announced that he received the prestigious gong.

The talented actor found himself gaining recognition once again for the incredible portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything on Sunday evening.

Eddie couldn't hide his surprise and delight at beating out competition from the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Ralph Fiennes to nab the award.

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Amazed: Eddie Redmayne looked completely shocked to learn he had received the award for Leading Actor at the 2015 EE BAFTA awards on Sunday night

Amazed: Eddie Redmayne looked completely shocked to learn he had received the award for Leading Actor at the 2015 EE BAFTA awards on Sunday night

Thankful: In his impassioned speech, the actor (pictured with Stephen Hawking), said: 'I would like to dedicate this wonderful award to three families' and went on to praise his own, his 'acting family' and the Hawking clan
Thankful: In his impassioned speech, the actor (pictured with Stephen Hawking), said: 'I would like to dedicate this wonderful award to three families' and went on to praise his own, his 'acting family' and the Hawking clan

Thankful: In his impassioned speech, the actor (pictured with Stephen Hawking), said: 'I would like to dedicate this wonderful award to three families' and went on to praise his own, his 'acting family' and the Hawking clan

In his impassioned speech, the actor said: 'I would like to dedicate this wonderful award to three families.

'My own family, they don't work in this wonderful trade but they have been my bedrock they have galvanised me and head amazing faith in me even when I lost it myself.'

He continued: 'To my professional family, Felicity Jones you are a wonder. James Marsh, you took such a gargantuan punt on me thanks for that.

'Really this award belongs to one incredible family who are here this evening. I would like to thank them, I would like to thank them for their trust in us their generosity and kindness and for reminding me of the great strength that comes to living a full and passionate life.'

Delighted: The talented actor found himself gaining recognition once again for the incredible portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything

Praise: Eddie continued, 'Really this award belongs to one incredible family who are here this evening. I would like to thank them, I would like to thank them for their trust in us their generosity and kindness and for reminding me of the great strength that comes to living a full and passionate life'

Praise: Eddie continued, 'Really this award belongs to one incredible family who are here this evening. I would like to thank them, I would like to thank them for their trust in us their generosity and kindness and for reminding me of the great strength that comes to living a full and passionate life'

Well done: Eddie couldn't hide his surprise and delight at beating out competition from the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Ralph Fiennes to nab the award presented by Kristin Scott Thomas

Well done: Eddie couldn't hide his surprise and delight at beating out competition from the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Ralph Fiennes to nab the award presented by Kristin Scott Thomas

Eddie reminded the crowd that he had to miss the BAFTAs the year when his film Les Miserables had been up for nomination because he had a bout of food poisoning and threw up backstage. 

He admitted: 'I was at the BAFTAs three years ago and I had food poisoning - I redecorated the corridor of the Royal Opera House. That was one of the worst nights of my life - this is one of the best nights of my life'. 

It is his second victory over Benedict Cumberbatch, who received the same hat trick of nominations for his performance as wartime codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.

The rivalry between Eton-educated Redmayne, 33, and Old Harrovian Cumberbatch, 38, has been one of the running themes of this year’s awards season. 

And given their similar backgrounds and competing roles, their pairing across the ceremonies should have been evenly matched. But Cumberbatch has been unable to equal the success of his rival.

He conceded defeat even before the ceremony began yesterday, saying the race was ‘already over’ and that ‘being in the same room as [Redmayne], watching him win, is an honour’. 

Both Professor Hawking and relatives of Turing were in the audience at the event. 

Star turn: Eddie's portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything - alongside Felicity Jones - has been one of the most highly-praised performances in recent years

Star turn: Eddie's portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything - alongside Felicity Jones - has been one of the most highly-praised performances in recent years

Overwhlemed: He was the favourite to win Leading Actor but it was clearly still a shock for Eddie when he finally received the prestigious gong
Overwhlemed: He was the favourite to win Leading Actor but it was clearly still a shock for Eddie when he finally received the prestigious gong

Overwhlemed: He was the favourite to win Leading Actor but it was clearly still a shock for Eddie when he finally received the prestigious gong

Showing his support: Stephen Hawking was on hand to show his support to Eddie for his role in biopic The Theory Of Everything

Showing his support: Stephen Hawking was on hand to show his support to Eddie for his role in biopic The Theory Of Everything

He's on a role: Eddie's latest win continues to full belief that he will walk away with the Oscar for Best Actor

He's on a role: Eddie's latest win continues to full belief that he will walk away with the Oscar for Best Actor

Dream team: The actor was pictured posing alongside his talented co-star Felicity Jones with the award for Outstanding British Film

Dream team: The actor was pictured posing alongside his talented co-star Felicity Jones with the award for Outstanding British Film

In good company: The pair were happy to pose alongside the always dapper David Beckham

In good company: The pair were happy to pose alongside the always dapper David Beckham

Eddie, 33, looked every inch the leading man when he arrived to the Royal Opera House with his wife Hannah Bagshawe.

The stunning pair put on an effortlessly stylish display as the joined the host of stars that descended upon the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden for the 68th year of the ceremony.

Eddie was suave as ever in a midnight blue velvet suit which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie.

His wife looked simply stunning in floaty grey Valentino gown which featured flora lace detail and a feathered collar.

She completed her look with a small gold clutch and wore her locks in a simple updo, while her natural beauty was complimented with barely-there make-up. 

Eddie appeared to be in his element as he signed autographs for waiting fans, while Professor Stephen Hawking arrived to show his support.

After seeing Steven’s attire, Eddie joked: ‘I noticed that Stephen's here and we are both wearing velvet, we didn't plan this!’.

Speaking to MailOnline about his chance to work with co-star Felicity Jones, Eddie said: 'Felicity and I have known each other for a long time and we upped each others' game in this movie. These were roles of a lifetime and we both knew it. '

As for his public school success, he admitted: 'I attribute my success to my teacher, Simon Normandy, not my class - but I know I've been very lucky and think we should always have a debate on where actors are coming from.'

Winners: Rising star Jack O'Connell and Leading Actress Julianne Moore held up their gongs as they posed with Eddie backstage

Winners: Rising star Jack O'Connell and Leading Actress Julianne Moore held up their gongs as they posed with Eddie backstage

Impressive line-up: The winners of the EE British Academy Film Awards 2015 assembled to complete a star-studded and incredibly talented collection of people on Sunday evening

Impressive line-up: The winners of the EE British Academy Film Awards 2015 assembled to complete a star-studded and incredibly talented collection of people on Sunday evening

Big winner: The cast and crew of Boyhood were thrilled to win the Best Film and Director prize for the coming-of-age movie at the BAFTAs

Big winner: The cast and crew of Boyhood were thrilled to win the Best Film and Director prize for the coming-of-age movie at the BAFTAs

Accolades aplenty: Patricia Arquette was named the Supporting Actress for her role in Boyhood
Doing the honour: Ralph Fiennes accepted the award for Original Screenplay for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel from Julianne Moore

Accolades aplenty: Patricia Arquette was named the Supporting Actress for her role in Boyhood, while Ralph Fiennes accepted the award for Original Screenplay for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel from Julianne Moore

Best Picture: The Theory Of Everything took home the top film gong at the EE BAFTAs 2015 on Sunday night

Best Picture: The Theory Of Everything took home the top film gong at the EE BAFTAs 2015 on Sunday night

Standing ovation: The audience at the Royal Opera House went wild as Professor Stephen Hawking joined Felicity Jones on stage

Standing ovation: The audience at the Royal Opera House went wild as Professor Stephen Hawking joined Felicity Jones on stage

The newlywed spoke briefly about his upcoming plans as he revealed: ' Loving married life, thank you, and starting a new film called The Danish Girl, tomorrow.

'Then I'm going to take time off, relax and cook while my wife goes off to work.'

Speaking to the press at the event, Eddie admitted he was not thinking too much about whether he would walk away with a gong or not, saying: ‘I try not to think about it too much.

‘This film was such a high stakes game, we care so much about what the Hawkings though so frankly everything has been a gift.'

He added: ‘I've been coming to the BAFTAs a couple of times and it is a real special evening and we actually shot some scenes at the Royal Opera House so it feels like we’ve come round full circle being here tonight.

As for how he has handled his continued rise in fame, he revealed: ‘I don't think life has changed dramatically, it's all so wonderful and glamorous but it's a lot of smoke and mirrors.’

Hamming it up: After receiving the Original Screenplay gong on behalf of his director, Ralph Fiennes posed in the Winner's Room with Julianne Moore

Hamming it up: After receiving the Original Screenplay gong on behalf of his director, Ralph Fiennes posed in the Winner's Room with Julianne Moore

'He is my great friend': Ethan Hawke accepted Richard Linkater's gong for Director for Boyhood, giving a touching speech addressing their long professional and personal relationship

'He is my great friend': Ethan Hawke accepted Richard Linkater's gong for Director for Boyhood, giving a touching speech addressing their long professional and personal relationship

From Skins to a BAFTA win! Unbroken star Jack O'Connell was awarded the EE Rising Star Award, given to him by previous title-holder James McAvoy
From Skins to a BAFTA win! Unbroken star Jack O'Connell was awarded the EE Rising Star Award, given to him by previous title-holder James McAvoy

From Skins to a BAFTA win! Unbroken star Jack O'Connell was awarded the EE Rising Star Award, given to him by previous title-holder James McAvoy

Helping hand: Michael Keaton (C) poses with Martin Freeman and Gugu Mbatha-Raw after collecting the award for Best Cinematography on behalf of Emmanuel Lubezki for Birdman

Helping hand: Michael Keaton (C) poses with Martin Freeman and Gugu Mbatha-Raw after collecting the award for Best Cinematography on behalf of Emmanuel Lubezki for Birdman

American success: Patricia Arquette was presented the Best Supporting Actress Award by Cuba Gooding Jr. for Boyhood.
American success: Reese Witherspoon presented J.K. Simmons the Best Supporting Actor gong for Whiplash

American success: Patricia Arquette was presented the Best Supporting Actress Award by Cuba Gooding Jr. for Boyhood. Reese Witherspoon presented J.K. Simmons the Best Supporting Actor gong for Whiplash

The actor said: 'It's been kind of mind-blowing ... [This time last year] we'd made the film, but we hadn't seen it put together. I so cared what Stephen Hawking and [his first wife] Jane Hawking would think of the film. It's been such a dream, really.'

However, Eddie also confessed he was somewhat overwhelmed by the task of portraying the English theoretical physicist.

He shared: 'It was terrifying [to take on the role]. It gave me many a sleepless night. But it's also our dream as actors to tell interesting stories about interesting people. They don't come as extraordinary as Jane and Stephen and Jonathan and the Hawking family.

'And so it was this weird mixture of fear and trepidation and wanting to do them and their story proud. And also a great privilege. It was a hybrid of the two, really.' 

Fun night: George MacKay, cast of Boogaloo and Graham, and Olivia Grant in the press room at the 68th British Academy Film Awards in the Royal Opera House

Fun night: George MacKay, cast of Boogaloo and Graham, and Olivia Grant in the press room at the 68th British Academy Film Awards in the Royal Opera House

Stunning couple: The 33-year-old looked every inch the leading man when he arrived to the Royal Opera House with his wife Hannah Bagshawe

Stunning couple: The 33-year-old looked every inch the leading man when he arrived to the Royal Opera House with his wife Hannah Bagshawe

The ceremony is the biggest night for British film in the showbiz calendar, awarding gongs across 24 categories. 

Shown exclusively on BBC One and BBC HD from 9pm, the show was opened by long-running host Stephen Fry, who has presented the show for the last ten years.

The newly married television personality was joined by actor Sam Claflin a week earlier to disclose the nominations to the public.

The Theory Of Everything landed three awards as it was named Outstanding British Film and nabbed the Best Adapted Screenplay award for Anthony McCarten

The film has done well in the early stages of awards season, getting nominated across the board for various awards ceremonies, and it received nine BAFTA nods in total.

The British-made film, based on the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by his wife Jane Wilde Hawking, tells the story of the acclaimed physicist battling with motor neuron disease, their relationship and his ascent in the world of science. 

The Grand Budapest Hotel has swept the board at the EE British Academy Film Awards, taking home five prizes in total, but it was Boyhood that took the top prizes on the night - for Best Film and Director.

Richard Linklater's coming-of-age drama, shot over a 12-year period, scooped the top film prize at the movie awards ceremony, held at London's Royal Opera House on Sunday evening.

And one of its stars - Patricia Arquette - won the Supporting Actress gong too, bringing its total number of wins to a respectable three. 

His big night: Eddie was suave as ever in a midnight blue velvet suit which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie

His big night: Eddie was suave as ever in a midnight blue velvet suit which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie

Glittering in grey: Hannah looked simply stunning in floaty grey Valentino gown which featured flora lace detail and a feathered collar

Glittering in grey: Hannah looked simply stunning in floaty grey Valentino gown which featured flora lace detail and a feathered collar

British beauty: She completed her look with a small gold clutch and wore her locks in a simple updo, while her natural beauty was complimented with barely-there make-up

British beauty: She completed her look with a small gold clutch and wore her locks in a simple updo, while her natural beauty was complimented with barely-there make-up

In good company: The talented actor joined the host of stars that descended upon the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden for the 68th year of the ceremony

In good company: The talented actor joined the host of stars that descended upon the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden for the 68th year of the ceremony

Thanking the fans: Eddie appeared to be in his element as he signed autographs for waiting fans, while Professor Stephen Hawking arrived to show his support

Thanking the fans: Eddie appeared to be in his element as he signed autographs for waiting fans, while Professor Stephen Hawking arrived to show his support

EE British Academy Film Awards in 2015: Winners

LEADING ACTOR

WINNER: EDDIE REDMAYNE The Theory Of Everything 

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH The Imitation Game 

JAKE GYLLENHAAL Nightcrawler

MICHAEL KEATON Birdman

RALPH FIENNES The Grand Budapest Hotel

 

LEADING ACTRESS 

WINNER: JULIANNE MOORE Still Alice 

AMY ADAMS Big Eyes

FELICITY JONES The Theory of Everything 

REESE WITHERSPOON Wild

ROSAMUND PIKE Gone Girl


BEST FILM

WINNER: BOYHOOD Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland 

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten

BIRDMAN Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, James W. Skotchdopole 

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson

THE IMITATION GAME Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman

 

SUPPORTING ACTOR

WINNER: J.K. SIMMONS Whiplash 

EDWARD NORTON Birdman

ETHAN HAWKE Boyhood 

MARK RUFFALO Foxcatcher

STEVE CARELL Foxcatcher

 

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

WINNER: PATRICIA ARQUETTE Boyhood 

EMMA STONE Birdman

IMELDA STAUNTON Pride

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY The Imitation Game 

RENE RUSSO Nightcrawler 

 

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM 

WINNER: THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING James Marsh, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten 

'71 Yann Demange, Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch, Gregory Burke

THE IMITATION GAME Morten Tyldum, Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky, Teddy Schwarzman, Graham Moore

PADDINGTON Paul King, David Heyman

PRIDE Matthew Warchus, David Livingstone, Stephen Beresford

UNDER THE SKIN Jonathan Glazer, James Wilson, Nick Wechsler, Walter CampbelL 

 

DIRECTOR 

WINNER: BOYHOOD Richard Linklater 

BIRDMAN Alejandro G. Iñárritu

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Wes Anderson

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING James Marsh

WHIPLASH Damien Chazelle 

 

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY 

WINNER: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Wes Anderson 

BIRDMAN Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr, Armando Bo

BOYHOOD Richard Linklater

NIGHTCRAWLER Dan Gilroy

WHIPLASH Damien Chazelle 

 

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

WINNER: THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Anthony McCarten 

AMERICAN SNIPER Jason Hall

GONE GIRL Gillian Flynn

THE IMITATION GAME Graham Moore

PADDINGTON Paul King

 

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER 

WINNER: STEPHEN BERESFORD (Writer), DAVID LIVINGSTONE (Producer) Pride 

ELAINE CONSTANTINE (Writer/Director) Northern Soul

GREGORY BURKE (Writer), YANN DEMANGE (Director) '71

HONG KHAOU (Writer/Director) Lilting

PAUL KATIS (Director/Producer), ANDREW DE LOTBINIÈRE (Producer) Kajaki: The True Story

 

 

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 

WINNER: IDA Pawel Pawlikowski, Eric Abraham, Piotr Dzieciol, Ewa Puszczynska

LEVIATHAN Andrey Zvyagintsev, Alexander Rodnyansky, Sergey Melkumov

THE LUNCHBOX Ritesh Batra, Arun Rangachari, Anurag Kashyap, Guneet Monga

TRASH Stephen Daldry, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Kris Thykier

TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne, Denis Freyd 

 

DOCUMENTARY

WINNER: CITIZENFOUR Laura Poitras 

20 FEET FROM STARDOM Morgan Neville, Caitrin Rogers, Gil Friesen

20,000 DAYS ON EARTH Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard

FINDING VIVIAN MAIER John Maloof, Charlie Siskel

VIRUNGA Orlando von Einsiedel, Joanna Natasegara

 

ANIMATED FILM

WINNER: THE LEGO MOVIE Phil Lord, Christopher Miller 

BIG HERO 6 Don Hall, Chris Williams

THE BOXTROLLS Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable

 


ORIGINAL MUSIC

WINNER: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Alexandre Desplat 

BIRDMAN Antonio Sanchez

INTERSTELLAR Hans Zimmer

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Jóhann Jóhannsson

UNDER THE SKIN Mica Levi

 

CINEMATOGRAPHY

WINNER: BIRDMAN Emmanuel Lubezki

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Robert Yeoman

IDA Lukasz Zal, Ryzsard Lenczewski

INTERSTELLAR Hoyte van Hoytema

MR. TURNER Dick Pope

 

EDITING 

Due to a tie in voting in this category, there are six nominations 

WINNER: WHIPLASH Tom Cross

BIRDMAN Douglas Crise, Stephen Mirrione

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Barney Pilling

THE IMITATION GAME William Goldenberg NIGHTCRAWLER John Gilroy

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Jinx Godfrey

 

PRODUCTION DESIGN

WINNER: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Adam Stockhausen, Anna Pinnock 

BIG EYES Rick Heinrichs, Shane Vieau

THE IMITATION GAME Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana MacDonald

INTERSTELLAR Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis

MR. TURNER Suzie Davies, Charlotte Watts

 

COSTUME DESIGN

WINNER THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Milena Canonero

THE IMITATION GAME Sammy Sheldon Differ

INTO THE WOODS Colleen Atwood

MR. TURNER Jacqueline Durran

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Steven Noble

 

MAKE UP & HAIR 

WINNER: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Frances Hannon

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou, David White

INTO THE WOODS Peter Swords King, J. Roy Helland

MR. TURNER Christine Blundell, Lesa Warrener

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Jan Sewell

 

SOUND

WINNER: WHIPLASH Thomas Curley, Ben Wilkins, Craig Mann 

AMERICAN SNIPER Walt Martin, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff, Alan Robert Murray, Bub Asman

BIRDMAN Thomas Varga, Martin Hernández, Aaron Glascock, Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Wayne Lemmer, Christopher Scarabosio, Pawel Wdowczak

THE IMITATION GAME John Midgley, Lee Walpole, Stuart Hilliker, Martin Jensen

 

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

WINNER: INTERSTELLAR Paul Franklin, Scott Fisher, Andrew Lockley 

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Erik Winquist, Daniel Barrett

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Stephane Ceretti, Paul Corbould, Jonathan Fawkner, Nicolas Aithadi

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, R. Christopher White

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Richard Stammers, Anders Langlands, Tim Crosbie, Cameron Waldbauer

 

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION 

WINNER: THE BIGGER PICTURE Chris Hees, Daisy Jacobs, Jennifer Majka 

MONKEY LOVE EXPERIMENTS Ainslie Henderson, Cam Fraser, Will Anderson 

MY DAD Marcus Armitage

 

BRITISH SHORT FILM 

WINNER: BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM Brian J. Falconer, Michael Lennox, Ronan Blaney

EMOTIONAL FUSEBOX Michael Berliner, Rachel Tunnard

THE KÁRMÁN LINE Campbell Beaton, Dawn King, Tiernan Hanby, Oscar Sharp

SLAP Islay Bell-Webb, Michelangelo Fano, Nick Rowland

THREE BROTHERS Aleem Khan, Matthieu de Braconier, Stephanie Paeplow

 

THE EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)

WINNER: JACK O'CONNELL 

GUGU MBATHA-RAW

MARGOT ROBBIE

MILES TELLER

SHAILENE WOODLEY 

Also performing incredibly well was Wes Anderson's comedy, which won Original Screenplay, Original Music, Production Design, Costume Design and Make Up & Hair. 

The Grand Budapest Hotel was awarded the Best Original Screenplay gong for Wes Anderson and Ralph Fiennes picked up the award in lieu of his director.

The British actor hopped up on stage and read out a message from Anderson upon retrieving the gong: 'I have a letter from Wes it goes like this: if Ralph Fiennes is reading this speech it must mean I have won a BAFTA for our screenplay in absentia.

'I was already unhappy to miss this event but now I'm really angry and resentful that I am not there, and I'm furious.' 

He read on: 'I blame the Directors' Guild Of America, for requiring my presence in Los Angeles where most likely I have already failed to win a different prize. I extend my many thanks to the British Academy, of which I am a member in good standing and I look forward to very eagerly getting a hold of this award physically in my own hands as quickly as Fed-Ex can possibly deliver it to me.'

Sadly Felicity Jones didn't win for her leading role in the film, as the Best Actress award went to Julianne Moore for Still Alice, the film's only prize.

After being given her award on stage by handsome stars Chris Evans and Henry Cavill, she gushed: 'Thank you for including me among these beautiful performances, both British Felicity, Rosamund and American Amy and Reese: I'm honoured to be honoured with you tonight.'

'Film is a collaborative medium, there's no way you can give a performance by yourself and the thing I value most about my job is the creative partnership with others.

'Mostly our filmmakers who made such a beautiful movie about our essential self. To the five Scottish women who poured love into me. My great-aunts May, Mary and Cissy my grandmother Flora and my mother Anne this is for you,' she added, as she visibly choked up on stage.

Meanwhile, Patricia Arquette gave a touching speech as she thanked everyone around her for her award - given to her by Cuba Gooding Jr - which marks her third this movie awards season for her role as a single mother in Richard Linklater's ambitious movie.

Patricia played the mother in the stunning 12 years in the making piece that followed a boy's experience from childhood to adolescence.

'Thank you so much my incredible fellow nominees it's such an honour to be nominated with you,' she said, while clutching her BAFTA on stage. 

Recognition: The Theory Of Everything, has done well in the early stages of awards season, getting nominated across the board for various awards ceremonies, and it won three BAFTA awards in total

Recognition: The Theory Of Everything, has done well in the early stages of awards season, getting nominated across the board for various awards ceremonies, and it won three BAFTA awards in total

Soaking it all in: Speaking to the press at the event, Eddie admitted he had not been thinking too much about whether he would walk away with a gong or not saying, ‘I try not to think about it too much'

Soaking it all in: Speaking to the press at the event, Eddie admitted he had not been thinking too much about whether he would walk away with a gong or not saying, ‘I try not to think about it too much'

'Ethan Hawke you are an actor's actor. Thank you so much for being my fictitious ex-husband and making me a better actor,' she went on, praising her co-star, who sadly missed out on the Supporting Actor prize.

'I'd really like to thank Richard Linklater. I've been in many films, in other films that weren't acknowledged until much later. True Romance was a bomb. I have been in a work of art because of you Richard Linklater,' she went on.

'This movie has done something that no film has ever done before. You broke the rules of cinema, you broke history you trusted all of us and you made an ordinary story extraordinary. You made a story about love, and I love you and I thank you.'

Linklater had a successful night, as he also won the award for Best Director, and Ethan Hawke collected the golden mask from presenter Steve Carell in his honour.

Hawke said of Linklater's absence: 'He was hijacked by the DGAs, and sat there losing, and is going to be frankly pissed off that he’s not here tonight.'

'[Richard says] thank you to Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater… They went for this and there was nothing more fun in the world than to watch these kids grow up.'

He added: 'I've made eight films with him and he is my great friend. There may be many people who are equal, but there is nobody in this room who loves cinema as much as him and who loves the legacy, past and present, of British cinema than Richard.'

It was a huge night for Jack O'Connell, as he won the EE British Rising Star Award this year, the only gong to be voted for by the British public.

Jack was presented his special blue mask by past winner James McAvoy. 'Public vote, so I guess the people have spoken. Now it’s my turn. Good luck,' the Unbroken star said. 

His story: After seeing Steven’s attire, Eddie joked: ‘I noticed that Stephen's here and we are both wearing velvet, we didn't plan this!’

His story: After seeing Steven’s attire, Eddie joked: ‘I noticed that Stephen's here and we are both wearing velvet, we didn't plan this!’

'I remember I was part of a TV workshop in Nottingham, and taught by a wonderful man Ian Smith,' Jack said in his winner's speech.

'And we had won a BAFTA, I don't know what for but I remember being at that age inspired. Now I find myself with one. Speaking of which are all these spare BAFTAs? Has anyone claimed them? I should have brought a bag with me,' he joked, referencing the stage's impressive backdrop.

J.K. Simmons was phenomenal in his role as the overly tough conductor who puts Mile Teller's drummer through his paces in the tense musical drama Whiplash.

A huge moment during the ceremony came when Professor Stephen Hawking arrived on stage alongside Felicity Jones to dole out the Special Visual Effects prize, which went to Paul Franklin for Interstellar.

And one of the biggest prizes on the night - the BAFTA Fellowship - was awarded to veteran director Mike Leigh, whose most recent film is Mr. Turner.

Speaking up on stage, he said: 'This is very nice indeed and I have never appeared on this stage before. How lucky we are to have been born in this magical age of cinema. It is glorious isn't it?

'I know some people expect me to be rude this evening... well sorry folks you're in for a disappointment. We got four nominations tonight, and you BAFTA are a democratic gang and your taste is your prerogative. What is important to me is that you have awarded me this fellowship for which I am truly grateful.

'For me this is a sign of your respect for an offbeat alternative, idiosyncratic personal kind of cinema. Pure independent cinema are the filmmakers of the future. It's great to share this stage with tonight's winning Boyhood, which Dick Linklater and his team can be extraordinarily proud.'

'I have made twenty full length films all starting without a script and none of them has ever been interfered with by anyone at any time. If that wasn't the case I wouldn't be standing here now. Thank you to everyone I have ever worked with, in front of and behind the camera.'

Alexandre Desplat received his second BAFTA Award for his score for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel in the Original Music category. He had previously won for The King's Speech.

'Merci beaucoup,' Desplat said after Holliday Grainger and Nimrat Kaur presented him the award. 'It all goes back to Wes. He’s unique, his world looks like nobody else’s. He’s not here tonight but I’m sure he’s watching TV… Well, I’m not sure, actually.' 

Musical genius: Alexandre Desplat received his second BAFTA Award for his score for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel in the Original Music category
Musical genius: Alexandre Desplat received his second BAFTA Award for his score for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel in the Original Music category

Musical genius: Alexandre Desplat received his second BAFTA Award for his score for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel in the Original Music category

A huge honour: The iconic scientist presented Interstellar's Paul Franklin with the Special Visual Effects prize

A huge honour: The iconic scientist presented Interstellar's Paul Franklin with the Special Visual Effects prize

Beauty winners: Mark Coulier and Frances Hannon won Best Make-up & Hair for their work on The Grand Budapest Hotel, and were given their gong by Bond girl beauties Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux

Beauty winners: Mark Coulier and Frances Hannon won Best Make-up & Hair for their work on The Grand Budapest Hotel, and were given their gong by Bond girl beauties Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux

Dapper gents: Stephen Beresford and David Livingstone (c) of Pride, winner of Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer with Tom Hiddleston and Mark Strong

Dapper gents: Stephen Beresford and David Livingstone (c) of Pride, winner of Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer with Tom Hiddleston and Mark Strong

Altogether now: All of the winners - the actors, actresses, cast and crew members across the fantastic films this year - held up their BAFTA gongs with pride

Altogether now: All of the winners - the actors, actresses, cast and crew members across the fantastic films this year - held up their BAFTA gongs with pride

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