Stephen Hawking gets a standing ovation at the Baftas

The scientist – who is the subject of the critically acclaimed movie The Theory Of Everything, took to the stage to a standing ovation with one of the film’s stars Felicity Jones.

Felicity, who plays his ex-wife in the film, described Professor Hawking as the only man more intelligent than the show’s host Stephen Fry, and Professor Hawking joked he was also “better looking” before they handed over the Bafta for special visual effects to Interstellar.

Other winners on the night were The Lego Movie, which was named best animated film, and BBC Films, responsible for titles including Philomena, Billy Elliot, Eastern Promises and Last Resort, which won the Bafta for outstanding contribution to cinema.

The award for cinematography went to Birdman and was accepted by its star, Michael Keaton, on behalf of Emmanuel Lubezki. The writer and producer of Pride, about an unlikely alliance between gay activists and striking miners in South Wales, won the Bafta for an outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer.

Former Bafta president and filmmaker Lord Attenborough, who died last year, was remembered with tributes from Robert Downey Jr and the Duke of Cambridge.

The Duke described him as “inclusive” and “a leader with a vision” and praised his “passion for nurturing, supporting and developing talent”.

He said: “I hope that everyone who watches his films and learns about him as a person will be encouraged to follow his example.”

Downey Jr, who played the title role in Attenborough’s film Chaplin, said “I’m sad. I miss you Dickie.”