Emma Thompson paid tribute to her friend Alan Rickman as she was honoured at the Evening Standard British Film Awards on Sunday evening. The 56-year-old actress gave a touching and funny speech as she received the Award for Comedy for her work in The Legend of Barney Thomson, dedicating her trophy to the late actor."I'd like to commit this moment in time to dearest Alan Rickman who many of us are dearly missing tonight," Emma told the crowd as she stood on stage with her trophy. "It's so depressing, but there it is. It does happen."
© Photo: Getty ImagesEmma Thompson dedicated her award to her late friend Alan Rickman
The star, who attended the awards with her 15-year-old daughter Gaia, then quipped: "He did say I'd always end up looking like my mother, and he was right."Other winners on the night included Idris Elba, who beat competition from Michael Fassbender and Tom Courteney to take home the Best Actor award for the hard-hitting movie Beasts of No Nation. The star was clearly stunned by his win.
© Photo: Getty ImagesEmma was accompanied to the awards by 15-year-old daughter Gaia
"Thank you so much. I'm star struck," Idris admitted. "I haven't prepared a speech so I'm going to speak from the heart… Arsenal did well today! But seriously, everyone here is really genuine and loving."Dame Maggie Smith picked up the prize for Best Actress for The Lady in the Van – and said her win was proof that there are parts for "very very" old actors. "See, there are parts for older actresses," the 81-year-old commented. "Even parts for very, very old actors. I'd like to say straight off… there wasn't a blade of prosthetics."
© Photo: Getty ImagesIdris Elba receives his Best Actor award from Vanessa Redgrave
Also taking home an award on the night was Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams, who was named this year's Rising Star for The Falling. "It was so wonderful to get into this career, and to know you're doing a good job is really, really lovely," said the 18-year-old as she proudly collected her trophy.
