BAFTA: Ejiofor Wins Best Actor For 12 Years A Slave

Chiwetel Ejiofor has won best actor at the 2014 Baftas for his role in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave.

He received a standing ovation as he reached the podium to receive his award. “I’m so deeply honoured and privileged,” he said, thanking director Steve McQueen. “Thank you for you work, your artisty and your passion in this project … to make it of such value, of such worth. This is yours by the way – I’m going to keep it, that’s the kind of guy I am, but it’s yours.”

He thanked his fellow cast members, including Michael Fassbender, saying “you are a marvel” and called them all “an extraordinary group – everybody bringing an extraordinary passion to this project”. He also thanked his family, telling his new niece and nephew, Hero and River, that: “we will endeavour to make a world you are proud of.”

You could be the first to share this story with friends and family simply by clicking either our Twitter or Facebook link below.