THE BUTLER DID IT!
Elvis star Austin Butler pips rival Colin Farrell to win Best Actor at Baftas
ELVIS star Austin Butler was the King of the Baftas as he pipped rival Colin Farrell to Best Actor at last night’s glittering ceremony.
The Irish star, 46, looked stunned as Austin, 31, picked up the award for his role as Elvis Presley in the biopic.
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Colin had been favourite to win for his lead role in The Banshees Of Inisherin and viewers at home were also shocked when he did not win.
American Austin was overcome with emotion as he walked up on stage and said he too was surprised.
He said: “I want to thank the Presley family. I cannot thank you guys enough for your love and for sharing with me who Elvis truly was.
“I hope I have made you proud, this means the world to me.”
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German-made war film All Quiet On The Western Front was another big winner — picking up seven gongs overall including the big award of the event, Best Film.
The movie, based in 1914, also saw Edward Berger pick up Best Director. He said backstage: “Best Director is the one I never would have thought. It’s a German movie, for Christ’s sake — who votes for that?”
The Banshees Of Inisherin was close behind with four gongs including Outstanding British Film and Original Screenplay.
Elvis also won in four categories. But Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick was a major disappointment as it failed to win all four of its nominations.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales made an appearance at the bash, which was held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, for the first time in three years.
They could not attend in 2021 as it took place one day after Prince Philip’s death and missed last year due to “diary constraints”.
Kate, 41, recycled an Alexander McQueen gown she previously wore at the 2019 Baftas.
As the pair walked up the red carpet, she cheekily patted Wills on the bum, while fans were heard shouting: “We love you, Kate”. Before the pair took their seats, they were greeted by Bafta chairman Krishnendu Majumdar.
William, 40, who became Bafta president in 2010, talked to Mr Majumdar and said he had done well by “balancing everything”.
Kate was overheard saying the couple had “done quite well” in trying to watch all of the films up for a gong.
The Banshees Of Inisherin co-stars and Kerry Condon landed both Supporting Actor awards.
Kerry was overcome with emotion backstage and admitted she still didn’t know where she’d put her gongs.
Barry said he wanted his win to help inspire youngsters, adding backstage: “I would say to young kids to have a dream. I know it sounds a cliché but it’s dreaming. And I hope I can kind of prove some of that.”
Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for her part as composer Lydia Tar in Tar — beating competition from stars including Danielle Deadwyler, Ana De Armas and Michelle Yeoh.
She said: “I didn’t prepare anything as it’s been an extraordinary year for women.
"These idiosyncratic, remarkable performances just break down the myth that women’s experience is monolithic. So thank you, Bafta.”
The Tar star then went onto further praise her fellow nominees backstage.
"Somehow you meet one another through conversations and panels and just being in dialogue with their work, it's very inspiring and it elevates what we do.
"I think sometimes there's a sense, that there's an animosity and it couldn't be further for the truth, I think there's a lot of passion for the films they are making.
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"People have deeply connected and there's a lot of deep, almost unconscious connection to make these characters come to life in an extraordinary way.
"All the women who I was nominated alongside have given exceptional performances, this is extraordinary."
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