Anthony Hopkins became the oldest-ever male acting winner at the BAFTA's on Monday night, at the age of 83.

The former Cowbridge Grammar School pupil beat favourite Chadwick Boseman, who had been expected to win posthumously for his role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Sir Anthony won for his role in 'The Father', Florian Zeller's adaptation of his stage play about a man with dementia.

He did not appear via Zoom to accept his award, but did participate at a press conference later, confessing he had been busy painting.

"This is wonderful. I'm at this time in my life where I never expected to get this, you know," said Sir Anthony.

"I mean, I got to a point in my life and I thought I wonder if I will ever work again, an actor's nightmare.

"I'm just so astounded. I'm sitting here painting in fact, in my room in a hotel, and I'm covered in paint and this cheer went up from next door and I thought 'Are they were watching a football match?' and then I got a message from Florian."

Sir Anthony said he is still acting because it 'keeps [him] out of trouble', adding:

"I don't want to sound heavy about it but it's the only thing I know how to do.

"I don't know how I became an actor. I had no intention of doing anything, really.

"But it's something that's passing my blood now I think I enjoy it.

"I keep it simple. I love it. It's a great life. And to be able to express things, I try not to take myself too seriously, I hope I don't."

Sir Anthony attended Cowbridge Grammar School in the early 1950's – though he later confessed in an interview in the New York Times that he was no star pupil.

"I was a poor learner, which left me open to ridicule and gave me an inferiority complex. I grew up absolutely convinced I was stupid," he said.

At the press conference Sir Anthony also confirmed he will remain in Wales until the Academy Awards at the end of the month.

"We are taking a long vacation; we've been in a lockdown and it's been a tough year for everyone so we took a holiday and we had our vaccinations.

"So, we're in Wales having a quiet time and are very grateful to everyone so that is where we will be."

Sir Anthony won his first Bafta in 1969 for The Lion In Winter and he said he did not expect to be recognised again.