The Chapman Report (8)

Feb 3, 2026 by Jeremy

Never in a thousand years did I think I’d be putting up a young Yorkshireman I’d never heard of for a Best Actor BAFTA until I saw his mind-blowing performance as Tourette’s victim and campaigner John Davidson in a very challenging movie called I Swear.

If it had been a competition for the number of F words spoken, Robert Aramayo would already be home and hosed as this frightening illness turns a mild-mannered charmer into a foul-mouthed embarrassment, but he’s a good lad at heart and this important film tackles its tricky subject with full-on bravery and honesty.

It’s not a perfect film because by its very subject matter it becomes a bit repetitive, but for Aramayo it’s the role of a lifetime and he grabs it with both hands. Judging from its impact in the cinema where I saw it, there will have been hundreds of grown men and women up and down the country crying their eyes out at the end of it.

Aramayo made a far greater impact on the audience than the hot favourite and his greatest rival, Tim Chalamet, made in Marty Supreme, and remember he’s British and on February 22 these are the British Oscars. BAFTA could fob him off with the Best Newcomer award but it is encouraging that Rob and I came to the same conclusion and managed to get a little 28/1.

The Brits have been virtually snubbed in the Oscars – only one nominated and no mention of Aramayo – so this is a chance to make their feelings known. Taking down Hollywood heavyweights like Chalamet and DiCaprio takes courage but 25 years ago, against the might of Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas and Geoffrey Rush, BAFTA proudly made Britain best with a similarly little-known northerner, Jamie Bell, for Billy Elliot. Could lightning strike again? The drums which have seen Aramayo cut from 33/1 to 6/1 have been beating insistently. Long may they continue to do so.

Irish duo Jess Buckley and Paul Mescal, who play Mr and Mrs Shakespeare in the highly-touted Hamnet, as well as the movie itself, will have plenty of support. Buckley is a shoo-in for Best Actress, Mescal, criminally omitted from the Supporting Actor Oscar contenders, could have his revenge here and the film is closing in hand over fist on the political satire, One Battle Or Another, for Best Picture. With Hamnet now down to 5/4 there’s precious little between them. If there are two of equal merit, it’s realistic to expect BAFTA to go for the one closer to home.

In saying that, I am going against myself in putting up Sean Penn to pip Mescal for Supporting Actor. His Sergeant Lockjaw in One Battle Or Another is supremely evil, Penn at his best, and I note he has come late into single figures. Take the 9/1 as his movie is going to have a field day.

When I suggested backing Elena Rybakina to win one or more tennis majors in my second column, I wasn’t expecting to get paid out so soon but the 6ft Kazakh proved again she is the real deal with her tremendous Australian Open triumph over the redoubtable Sabalenka. Setbacks though with Jannik Sinner (recommended to reach all four Slam finals) and golf ace Scottie Scheffler (defying the stats to win first time out) countered my profit.

Justin Rose’s obliteration of the Farmers field in San Diego was quite a tonic for the golden oldies so don’t be surprised if Sergio Garcia, at 46 a year senior to Rose, pops up at 18/1 in the first LIV tournament teeing off at 6.05pm under the lights at Riyadh on Wednesday. The fiery Spaniard would have won in Bahrain on Sunday but for panicking over the last few holes. Fourth place sets him up nicely for Riyadh where he was sixth last year. Well worth 1pt each-way.