Olivier Awards winner describes surreal night

Will Close, winner of best supporting actor at Sunday's Olivier Awards

Actor Will Close has described Sunday's Olivier Awards as the "most surreal night" of his life after being named best supporting actor.

He was recognised for his role as England football captain Harry Kane in the play Dear England.

Close dedicated the award to his mum who died during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying: "Here is to all the single mums in council housing."

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester about the night, he recalled: "It is mad... It is weird, I feel like I am on a cloud, it is crazy."

Of the moment he heard his name called out, Close, from Broadway, Worcestershire, added: "I felt like I was asleep, like I was dreaming."

The actor, a former student of Prince Henry's High School in Evesham, also thanked footballer Kane and co-star Joseph Fiennes - who played England coach Gareth Southgate - for being a "hero".

Previous winners of best supporting actor include Eddie Redmayne, Toby Jones, David Bradley and Sir Patrick Stewart.

Dear England was also recognised as best new play. The story focuses on Southgate and his England team as they navigate various challenges.

Accepting the award, writer James Graham joked: "I literally cannot kick a ball, I do not know why I am here."

He used his acceptance speech to thank the teachers at his Nottingham comprehensive school, adding that he was "so grateful" for his teachers for thinking "working class kids" should learn theatre.

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