Adam Deacon was referring to himself as the “underdog” ahead of last night’s BAFTA ceremony - a competition he was even calling "a class war". But by the end of the night, he was grinning like a Cheshire cat after picking up the Award for Orange Wednesdays Rising Star (voted for by the public).
Deacon, the star of Noel Clarke's Kidulthood and his own directorial effort Anuvahood, was convinced that he was the outside chance for the award, pitted against the arguably more mainstream talents of Eddie Redmayne (My Week with Marilyn, Birdsong), Tom Hiddleston (War Horse, Thor), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids).
So when it was Deacon’s name called out, his genuine surprise was evident.
He said afterwards, “This isn’t just for me, it’s for the underdog everywhere – for me this is acceptance.
He clarified, “I get a lot of love from people on the street, but it’s like we’re in a bubble here, it’s two different worlds.”
Deacon was already preparing to head back to his own world, gong in hand, with plans to meet friends for a celebratory drink in the early hours “after grabbing a drink at Grosvenor House (the location of the BAFTAs after-party).
He looked at his award: “It’ll be the first time one of these has made it to Hackney.”
BAFTA Winners in pictures: