Bill Nighy quipped he may become “unbearable” as he picked up the prestigious Icon Award at Thursday night’s Newport Beach Film Festival UK Honours.
The actor, 73, best known for his roles in Love, Actually and his Oscar-nominated turn in Living, was one of 11 stars who were shortlisted for their work across TV and film, as the Bafta celebrations began in the capital.
Picking up the accolade at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square, the Billy Mack actor joked: “The cool thing about this award is that for the next 24 hours or so, people will put the word ‘icon’ and my name in the same sentence.
“I might become unbearable.”
During his speech, the About Time star also announced that he was now “officially Irish” while fellow Irish stars Paul Mescal and Nicola Coughlan cheered him on from the crowd.
He said: “I like just to say, because I forgot to say this the other day, I’m officially Irish, so let’s get that straight.”
As the crowd applauded his announcement, Nighy quipped, “That’s a relief, Paul Mescal is clapping”.
The actor, who is nominated for Best Actor at this Sunday’s Baftas, continued: “I became officially Irish when the disaster of Brexit happened, I remain in Europe. Thank you, Ireland.”
Although it’s not clear when exactly Nighy became an Irish citizen, the screen star’s mother, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, is believed to be of Irish descent.
Nighy’s critically acclaimed new film Living was recognised as the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Achievement In British Cinema Award, with producers Stephen Woolley, Elizabeth Karlsen and writer Kazuo Ishiguro in attendance to accept the award.
Meanwhile his Living co-star Aimee-Lou Wood was named one of Newport Beach Film Festival’s Breakout UK and Ireland Honourees, alongside Lydia West, Nicola Coughlan, Michael Ward and Dafne Keen.
Also honoured at the event, held in partnership with Variety, was Gemma Chan, Paul Mescal, Naomi Ackie, Letitia Wright, Taron Egerton and Toby Jones who were recognised as Artists of Distinction at the ceremony.
Variety’s shortlist of 10 Brits to Watch, which included Bella Ramsey, Leo Woodhall, Dolly Alderton, Frankie Corio, Yasmin Finney, India Amarteifo, Jonah Hauer-King, Ripley Parker, Jenn Nkiru and Benjamin Caron, were also honored in person.
Speaking to The Standard before the awards, Taron Edgerton, 33, admitted it was “really lovely” for his performance in Apple TV’s Blackbird to be acknowledged by his peers.
While Black Panther’s Letitia Wright, 29, said she was “proud” that her work had been recognised, telling us: “It feels really nice. You work really hard on projects and hope people see it.
“You hope they like it that it hits their spirit, that they feel it so for them to come together and want to honour you amongst your peers, it feels really great.
“I’m really proud of myself.”
