'Leading actor Bafta nomination is unbelievable'

Robert Aramayo says it is "unbelievable" to be nominated for leading actor at the Bafta Film Awards alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.

Aramayo, from Hull, starred in I Swear, which tells the true story of John Davidson, a teenager living with Tourette's syndrome.

The comedy-drama film, directed by Kirk Jones, has also been nominated in the outstanding British film, supporting actor, original screenplay and casting categories.

"It's amazing," Aramayo said. "Everybody on it worked so hard and was very focused on telling the most authentic story that we could."

Speaking on BBC Breakfast about sharing the leading actor nomination with actors such as DiCaprio, Chalamet and Ethan Hawke, Aramayo said: "It's unbelievable."

Aramayo, who has starred in Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, said he had been inspired by a talk Hawke gave at his university.

"I remember just being so moved and shaped by the things that he said in that talk... maybe I'll get to meet him and say thank you for his words," he said.

"It's an incredible feeling because they're all just so amazing, such incredible actors."

Tourette's syndrome is an incurable neurological condition, that causes someone to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, known as tics.

Davidson has coprolalia, which results in involuntary outbursts of swear words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks.

His life was filmed for a series of documentaries, beginning with John's Not Mad in 1989, which is credited with raising awareness of Tourette's syndrome.

He was later appointed MBE for his campaigning.

Aramayo said playing Davidson was the "biggest challenge" of his life, but added it was also "really rewarding".

"It was a real challenge but I just felt like I had so much help in all aspects so I just felt really lucky," he added.

Aramayo also received an EE Bafta Rising Star Award nomination, the winner of which is voted for by the public.

Speaking about Aramayo on BBC Breakfast, Jones said: "He was extraordinary. I knew that he was the person that I wanted in the role."

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