It was celebrations all round for a former Hitchin Boys’ School student who won a Bafta last night.

Filmmaker Max Wiliams won best British Short Animation in 2015 for his film The Bigger Picture at the world-renowned awards ceremony hosted by Stephen Fry.

Max’s proud mum Pam Rhodes, the much-loved host of Songs of Praise, told the Comet: “I’m so happy and proud for Max. We got a message from him at 6am this morning telling us – I think he may have enjoyed last night and deservedly so!

“He was over the moon. He’s a such a modest person and will be the first to tell you it was a team effort – but they won their Bafta through sheer skill and talent, and they very much deserve their success as it was such an innovative film.

“I am so proud of him, it’s great for him – and it’s great for Hitchin too.

“Max told us there was a very good vibe about their work last night, and hopefully it will be matched at the Oscars later this month – fingers crossed!”