FROM treading the boards of Ipswich Arts Theatre to a glitzy Hollywood ceremony, Suffolk is celebrating today after Jim Broadbent netted an Oscar.The actor's powerful performance in Iris, which was partly filmed at Southwold, won him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor today.

FROM treading the boards of Ipswich Arts Theatre to a glitzy Hollywood ceremony, Suffolk is celebrating today after Jim Broadbent netted an Oscar.

The actor's powerful performance in Iris, which was partly filmed at Southwold, won him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor today.

The 52-year-old plays writer Iris Murdoch's husband John Bayley, in a touching portrayal or their relationship and her disintegration due to Alzheimer's Disease. Other stars of the film include multiple award winner Dame Judi Dench, and Kate Winslet, who were also nominated for Oscars.

Broadbent also picked up a Golden Globe award for his performance in January.

Back in 1975, a young thespian called James Broadbent was on stage at the Ipswich Arts Centre in Tower Street –now the Old Rep - when he appeared in four plays.

Lincoln-born Broadbent appeared as Horatio in Hamlet, and as Blackwill the Nightwatchman in Frost At Midnight. He was also a servant in an adaptation of TS Elliot's Family Reunion. and Sea Captain in Twelfth Night three years later in 1978.

He made his film debut in horror film The Shout, which also starred John Hurt and Susannah York. He also played the role of Roy "The Slag" Slater in Only Fools and Horses, having famously turned down the role of Del Boy.

He went on to appear in Little Voice, The Crying Game, and The Borrowers, and he will next appear on the big screen in Martin Scorsese's Gangs Of New York, which also stars Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day Lewis, and Leonardo DiCaprio.