‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ was the big winner at the 2018 Empire Awards with six prizes, including the coveted Best Film honour, while Daisy Ridley was named Best Actress and Mark Hamill scooped the Icon Award. The eighth installment in the sci-fi saga picked up the coveted Best Film accolade at Sunday (18.03.18) evening’s ceremony, as well as Best Director for Rian Johnson and Best Actress for Daisy Ridley, while franchise legend Mark Hamill – who had his final outing as Luke Skywalker – was honoured with the Empire Icon prize. It was also honoured for Best Visual Effects and Best Costume Design.

Accepting her award, Daisy admitted she had been having a crisis of confidence when she worked on the film, as she was shooting it at the time her franchise debut as Rey, in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, was out in cinemas. She told the audience at London’s Roundhouse: “When we made ‘Jedi’, the first one had just come out and I was sort of having a bit of a moment. I felt so self-conscious.” She went on to thank “all the people who make you feel like you can do it.”

Daisy had presented Mark with his Icon Award earlier in the evening, and the 66-year-old actor dedicated the honour to his legion of fans. However, he admitted he didn’t think he’d be able to deliver an acceptance speech as well as 12-year-old ‘Logan’ actress Dafne Keen had when she’d picked up Best Female Newcomer earlier in the evening.

He said: “I try to do my homework and make prepared remarks, but nothing prepares you for a moment like this. Plus, Dafne Keen was far more articulate than I’ll ever be. “Empire I think of as a magazine written by fans, for fans. First and foremost, that describes me, and I think the fans realise that — I’m one of them.

“I share this with all of you, and with the fans. Without them, I certainly wouldn’t be standing here.”