British actor Robert Aramayo has won the Bafta for Best Actor, beating Hollywood heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. The 33-year-old from Hull took the prize at the ceremony held at London's Royal Festival Hall on 22 February.
Aramayo won for his role as Tourette's campaigner John Davidson in the film I Swear. Davidson was present at the event, and his involuntary tics caused some viewers to mistake his shouting for heckling. Aramayo appeared stunned as he received the award from Kerry Washington.
In his acceptance speech, Aramayo said: 'I absolutely can't believe this. I can't believe I'm here looking at people like you, in the same category as you.' He thanked the film's team and recalled a speech by fellow nominee Ethan Hawke during his time at Juilliard, calling it 'incredible' to be in the same category as Hawke.
It was Aramayo's second win of the night, having earlier won the EE Rising Star Bafta for the same role. I Swear is set in 1980s Galashiels and follows Davidson's journey with Tourette syndrome. Davidson received an MBE in 2019 for his advocacy work.
Aramayo is best known for playing Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He made his stage debut this year in Guess How Much I Love You? at the Royal Court.
