The writer & actor of KiDULTHOOD and writer, actor and director of AdULTHOOD has just been named the winner of the BAFTA Rising Star award 2009 which was voted in it’s entirety by the public. Good news for Noel fans and a well deserved win – congratulations to him!

As I said before, just so long as either Noel or my old friend Toby won, all would be right with the world. As good as Michael Cera is, he’s not in the same class.

The award is a pretty big deal as the previous winners have gone on to great success (Shia LeBouf and James “Shameless” McAvoy being the last 2) and it seems that the whole grime scene has (rightly) come out in support of Noel Clarke. He’s a grafter and has done a lot for  British “urban” (because I can’t think of a better term) film. He’s given a lot of actors in London a platform with his films Kidulthood and Adulthood and of course repped in Dr Who and is definitely deserving of the award but my vote goes to Toby Kebbell.

I’ve known Toby for over 10 years as we’re both former members of the Junior Television Workshop in Nottingham and while I haven’t spoken or seen him in the last couple thanks to lost phones and number changes; as an actor, he really takes his craft seriously and grafts hard to make his performances not only believable but real. You might not have seen Control (which is a really good film) but chances are you’ve seen Rock’N'Rolla (aka Guy Richie’s only decent film other than Lock Stock & Snatch) and saw him smack it with his film stealing performance as Johnny Quid.

I, of course, am biased and while I’ll vote for both, Toby will get a couple more votes from me. Either way, if Fassbender, Cera or Hall win – we’ve all failed! If you want to vote click here or text the surname of the actor you want to win to 82058 (so for Toby Kebbell text KEBBELL to 82058 and for Noel Clarke text CLARKE to 82058). T’s & C’s are on the Bafta website.

And if either Noel or Toby are reading this – you need to do a film together. THAT would smash it to pieces. Oh and Biaja, my number’s the same. When we meeting up for a drink?