Jessie Buckley makes history as first Irish actress to win BAFTA

Jessie Buckley earned a milestone stone achievement by becoming the first-ever Irish actress to win the Lead Actress Award at BAFTA.

The Bride! star won the top honour for her role in Hamnet as Shakespeare wife, Agnes.

She was presented the award by her fellow Irish star and BAFTA winner Cillian Murphy.

In her acceptance speech, Buckley said, "As a little girl, I never in a million years thought I would get to make a film."

Looking back on her early days, The Lost Daughter actress admitted that she once used to wear over –the-top fake tan, white hoop earrings and a red polka-dot skirt, while boldly declaring that she hoped to become the next Judi Dench.

She went to pay tribute to her little daughter, adding, "I share this with my daughter, who has been with me since she was six weeks old on the road with this."

She continued, "It's the best role of my life being your mum and I promise to continue to be disobedient so you can belong to a world in all your complete wildness as a young woman. I am very grateful for this."

Hamnet was also won the Outstanding British Film at the event.

Chloé Zhao-directed historical drama of Coleraine-born author Maggie O'Farrell's bestseller had been nominated in 11 categories.