‘I’m still a proud Leeds United fan’: BAFTA nominee Robert Aramayo on his Yorkshire roots

This year, the Hull-born actor has earned two BAFTA nominations - proving just how far your dreams can take you. Yet no matter where the 33-year-old is, one reminder of home never leaves him: his support for Leeds United.

The actor’s interest in the football team began in early childhood when his father took him to his first football match at Elland Road. The atmosphere, passion for the club and love of the great game captured his imagination.

He’s been a fan ever since and is still a season ticket holder to this day.

Robert told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Growing up, going to Elland Road with my dad and that community experience of watching the game has always been really special and a big part of my childhood.

“I’m a very proud Yorkshireman and I love going back to Hull and to watch the games in Leeds. I feel very connected to where I come from.”

Robert’s career saw him move to the US to study at Juilliard at the age of 18. Since then, his career has taken him far and wide - often thousands of miles away from Elland Road. However, the club’s massive support across the globe has meant that in every job, there’s always been at least one fellow Leeds fan.

Last year, Robert achieved “one of the biggest honours” of his career, playing Scottish Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson in the critically-acclaimed drama I Swear. It’s a film that has spotlighted Davidson’s efforts to destigmatise Tourette’s syndrome and raise awareness.

For his role, Robert has been nominated for ‘leading actor’ at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, which will take place this Sunday at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.

In a category alongside the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Timothée Chalamet, Robert is still in shock that he’s been nominated.

He said: “It’s so special, it’s a really humbling, lovely feeling. It’s totally unexpected and I really honestly still can’t believe it.

“It’s such a great thing for the film because hopefully it helps spread awareness about Tourette’s.

“I think I’m really lucky to have been a part of I Swear and to tell John’s story because he’s such an amazing man and to shine a spotlight on his work is just awesome.”

Alongside leading actor, Robert is also nominated for BAFTA’s 2026 EE Rising Star Award, the only award within the ceremony which is voted for by the general public.

Robert shares the nomination with fellow up-and-coming talent Miles Caton, Chase Infiniti, Archie Madekwe, and Posy Sterling, a cohort he described as “very, very lovely and very, very talented.”

The EE Rising Star Award has been previously won by actors including David Jonsson, Mia McKenna-Bruce, and Emma Mackey.

This week is a particularly busy one for Robert. He’s been performing in Guess How Much I Love You, at the Royal Court Theatre, a play which focuses on two expectant parents learning how to navigate loss. The play, which is completely sold out, will finish performing on Saturday February 21, just one day before the BAFTA Film Awards.

The BAFTA Film Awards have brought new attention to I Swear, which is nominated for a total of five awards. Robert hopes that this means it will mean even more people learn about John Davidson’s incredible story.

This year’s BAFTAs are also a night of Robert himself being recognised amongst other greats from the film industry. His feelings about this can be summarised in just one simple sentence.

“I just feel very lucky to be in the room.”

The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards will air on BBC One on Sunday at 7pm. Voting for the EE Rising Star Award is now open via WhatsApp, at ee.co.uk/BAFTA or across EE socials until 12pm on Friday February 20.