Jamie dances off with Bafta

Jamie Bell capped an astonishing few months by dancing off with the Best Actor title at lastnight's Baftas.

The 14-year-old star of Billy Elliot beat Russell Crowe, of Gladiator, and Castaway star Tom Hanks to take the title at the Orange British Academy Film Awards, in London.

At a press conference afterwards, Jamie said that he was too tired to celebrate. He said the award will sit on top of the telly, adding that he was surprised he won because the other nominees were 'so big'.

Roman epic Gladiator, made by British director Ridley Scott, took the top title of best film as well as four other prizes. Martial arts fantasy Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon won four prizes including the David Lean Award for direction for Ang Lee.

Julia Roberts' title role in Erin Brockovich, as a brassy single mum who uncovers an environmental scandal, won her the best actress title.

There was further acting glory for Billy Elliot with Julie Walters taking the best supporting actress prize for her role as the dance teacher who takes Billy to glory.

The tale, about an aspiring young ballet dancer whose ambitions grate with his mining family, also won the Alexander Korda Award for Outstanding British Film Of The Year.

Gladiator's haul, aside from its best film win, was mainly for technical wizardry with prizes for editing, cinematography and production design. However it also landed the Orange audience award, voted by cinemagoers.

Albert Finney missed out on the best supporting actor trophy for his role in Erin Brockovich to Benicio Del Toro's performance in Traffic.

He had worthy consolation by picking up the Academy Fellowship, essentially a lifetime achievement award.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's string of awards included best director, beating Billy Elliot's Stephen Daldry and Scott.