Jessie Buckley wins Leading Actress BAFTA for Hamnet and recalls her journey from a Judi Dench wannabe with a 'nuclear bad fake tan' to the golden girl of awards season in emotional speech

Jessie Buckley emotionally recalled her journey from a Judi Dench wannabe with a 'nuclear bad fake tan' to the golden girl of awards season as she received the Leading Actress gong at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday.

The actress, 36, emotionally accepted the honour for her role in Chloe Zhao's Hamnet, one of the two awards given to the film during the ceremony.

Jessie, who is already tipped as a favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actress, also used her acceptance speech to thank her fellow nominees.

The star stars as William Shakespeare's wife Agnes in the film, and is based on Maggie O'Farrell's book of the same name. 

She said: 'This is really such an incredible honour. As a little girl I never thought in a million years I would be allowed to make a film but here I am. 

'When I arrived into my agent Lindy King in London, and I had nuclear bad fake tan on, white hoop earrings, a polka dot red skirt and dress, and I had the audacity to say to her that I dreamed to someday be something like Judi Dench. 

'I don't know how on God's green earth she even dreamed that was possible. Thank you Lindy for always encouraging me to be disobedient and curious and human.

'This really does belong to the women who have taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.'

Thanking her fellow nominees, Jessie forgot to include Kate Hudson and asked the audience: 'Who have I left out?' 

She then added 'I am in awe of all your incredible performances thank you.' 

'Maggie O'Farrell thank you for this role. You brought the mother out of the shadows and stood her next to that absolute giant that is Shakespeare.'

One Battle After Another was the big winner at Sunday's BAFTAs, as it scooped six gongs during the ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall. 

The Paul Thomas Anderson hit had already received a record 14 nominations, and came out on top as it won Best Film, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Editing.

The night wasn't without surprises, as Timothee Chalamet missed out on Best Actor to a home-grown favourite.

Despite being tipped as a favourite for the honour for his role in Marty Supreme, Timothee lost out on the prize to I Swear star Robert Aramayo.

As One Battle For Another was awarded Best Film, producer Sarah Murphy said: 'We wish more than anything that our producing partner Adam Somner could be here to accept this on behalf of us on his home turf.'

Director and producer Paul Thomas Anderson said: 'Thank you for rewarding our film in the way that you have, its just a tremendous honour. 

'I'm well aware of the other films that share this. Anybody that says movies aren't any good any more they can piss off because this is just a great f*****g year.'

He added that he planned to go and find a 'bar somewhere to go celebrate.'

The biggest loser of the evening was the highly acclaimed ping pong drama Marty Supreme, which went into the evening as one of the favourites, with 11 nominations. It came away completely empty-handed.

Meanwhile viewers, and guests in attendance, were stunned when it was announced that Robert had been awarded Best Actor for I Swear, beating out Hollywood heavyweights Timothee and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Upon learning of his son's honour, Robert's father jumped to his feet and was shouting and jumping up and down when his son's name was read.

From the stage, Aramayo said: 'I absolutely can't believe this. I can't believe I'm looking at people like you never mind that I'm stood here. 

He added: 'I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award I really cannot. Everyone in this category blows me away.'

'When I was in school Ethan Hawke came to speak to us at Juillard and he gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, protecting your instrument and avoiding self destructiove behaviours, it had an incredible impact on every one in that room.'

Mere minutes before that gong, Robert had been awarded the EE BAFTA Rising Star prize, the only award voted for by members of the public.

He said: 'Oh my word this is really scary last time I was at BAFTA I dropped the award, I hope this goes better. 

'I want to acknowledge my family who support me all the time I can see my dad up there and my mum and my sister and my amazing partner I love you all so much and my second family my I Swear family and thank you so much for letting me tell your story. John Davidson is the most amazing person I have ever met.'

Robert Aramayo's father said that it was like hearing your son had been picked to play football for Barcelona when his boy got into New York's Juilliard School. He was the only Brit among 4,000 admitted.

Originally from Hull, Aramayo has established himself in the public eye after parts in Game of Thrones and The Lord of The Rings.

For Hamnet it was two awards on night, as it was also awarded the coveted honour of Outstanding British Film, beating out I Swear and The Ballad of Wallis Island. 

Despite praise for his performance as a young William Shakespeare, star Paul failed to win the award for Supporting Actor, losing out to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another.

After the win was announced, the film's young stars Jacobi Jupe and Olivia Lynes shared a sweet hug on stage, while producer Sam Mendes accepted the honour.

Sam said that the process of making the film, based on the book by Maggie O'Farrell, had been 'just wonderful for everyone involved in it.'

He added: 'I have to shout out to my co-producer Steven Spielberg for his commitment to film and to film makers, and for loving this movie from the very start.' 

Lead producer Liza Marshall thanked the crew and cast - naming Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal - as well as Irish writer Maggie O'Farrell, and the film's director Chloe Zhao.

Sinners star Wunmi Mosaku was among the early winners as she received the award for Supporting Actress for her role in the Ryan Coogler film.

Mosaku, who is pregnant with her second child, thanked her husband, family and daughter from the stage, and said that her mother had 'beamed' her love at her 'to give me the freedom to make my choices.'

She said that playing priestess Annie in Sinners she had connected with a part of herself which she had 'dimmed as an immigrant trying to fit in.'

Sinners' win for Best Original Screenplay meant it was three wins for the film, as it was also awarded Best Original Score. 

Sean Penn was awarded Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, beating out favourites including Stellan Skarsgård.

This also meant Paul Mescal missed out on the honour, despite earning critical praise for his performance in Hamnet. 

Presented by Paddington Bear, the award for Best Children's & Family Film was given to Boong, an Indian Manipuri-language coming-of-age drama.

Zootropolis 2 was awarded Best Animated Film, while Best Sound was given to F1.

Best Production Design was presented to Frankenstein, which starred Jacob Elordi as the iconic monster, with the film also winning Best Makeup and Hair and Best Costume Design.

Monica Bellucci presented the award for Best Documentary to Mr Nobody Against Putin. 

This Is Endometriosis was awarded Best British Short Film by Miles Caton and Milly Alcock, while Best British Short Animation was given to Two Black Boys in Paradise.

Outstanding Debut from a British Writer, Director or Producer was given to Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies for My Father's Shadow.

Best Casting was given to I Swear, while Best Editing was given to One Battle After Another.

The first award of the night was for Special Visual Effects, which was awarded to Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Alan Cumming who is presenting for the first time kicked off proceedings by saying he believed many of the movies nominated had been inspired by difficult current events - hinting at the political unrest in the United States. 

He joked watching Marty Supreme, which stares Timothée Chalamet, had felt like a 'core workout' before bemoaning Hanet's tragic story of a child's death. 

'Do you know the plot of Zootropolis 2? Lies, corrupt leaders, poisoning, and persecution of a race. Too soon, Disney, come on,' 

'It's almost as though, I don't know, there are events going on in the real world that are influencing filmmakers. Anyone know what I'm talking about? No. Ring any bells for you Americans, particularly?'.

He then suggested everyone joining him in 'one big collective primal scream' before letting out a huge yell, and asking: 'That felt better, didn't it?'

KPop Demon Hunters fans were treated to a performance of the hit song Golden by Rei Ami, EJAE and Audrey Nuna from the group Huntr/x. 

Clare Binns, Creative Director of Picture House Cinemas, was presented with the BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award. 

After beginning her work as an usher in the 1980s, she collaborated with filmmakers including  Danny Boyle, Francis Lee, Steve McQueen, Shola Amoo, Charlotte Regan and Alice Winocour.

Paying tribute to her family, Clare said: 'Thank you for putting up with my obsession with film, even when it came at a cost to you.'

She finished her speech: 'Vivre le cinema!'

Dame Donna Langley was honoured with this year's BAFTA Fellowship, the arts charity's highest accolade.