Emotional Antonio Banderas dedicates Goya of Honour to his daughter

ANTONIO BANDERAS received a much deserved Goya of Honour last night (February 7) from director Pedro Almodovar during a ceremony which failed to bring any big surprises.

The Malaga-born Hollywood star gave an emotional speech upon receiving his prize: “Everything I have I owe to my profession, my vocation. I owe it what I am. Spain has always been on my mind, no matter where I’ve been. The important thing for me is to know how my work is received in my country, in my Malaga and in my neighbourhood.”

Visibly moved, the actor dedicated his award to his daughter Stella del Carmen, who he said suffers his absences the most.

Meanwhile in the UK, nominees to the BAFTA awards are getting ready to shine on the red carpet in London tonight for the ceremony, which comes just two weeks before the Oscars and is seen as an indicator of how things could go in the States as the last six BAFTA best film winners went on to win Oscars.

Many young British stars including Eddie Redmayne, Benedicat Cumberbatch and Rosumund Pike are hoping to carry an award home tonight.