Force of Gravity irresistible as stars bask in Bafta glory

Chiwetel Ejiofor with the Best Actor award for '12 Years A Slave'

Fans lined up alongside the red carpet to get a glimpse of celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Martin Scorsese at the Baftas.

And the night was given the royal seal of approval by  Prince William who presented Dame Helen Mirren with  her Bafta Fellowship Award last night.

Before accepting her award Dame Helen criticised the rise in violence against women in British television drama.

Before presenting the Fellowship, William described her as “an extremely talented British actress who I should probably call granny”.

Jeremy Irons, who helped William present the award, called her “one hell of a dame” before she took to the stage.

She ended by quoting from The Tempest, saying: “‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with a sleep’. My little life is rounded with this honour; thank you very much indeed.”

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney’s smash-hit Gravity proved to be the hit of the evening by winning six awards at the ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House.

It was named Outstanding British Film and director Alfonso Cuaron picked up the prize for best director.

The space adventure film also scooped awards for cinematography, special  visual effects, original music and sound – East Yorkshire music editor Chris Benstead was  one of the team behind the film’s sound.

Harrowing drama 12 Years A Slave was named best film and star Chiwetel Ejiofor took the Bafta for best actor.

Cate Blanchett was best  actress for her role in Blue Jasmine.

Philomena, starring Dame Judi Dench, was named best adapted screenplay.