The Principal of Jackie Palmer Stage School has said she is “over the moon” for former pupil Eddie Redmayne after he scooped the Best Actor award at last night’s Oscars.

The star, who attended Eton and trained at the Jackie Palmer Stage School on the weekend, picked up the prestigious award at the 87th annual Academy Awards last night for his lead role in The Theory of Everything.

Eddie took on the role of Stephen Hawking in the biographical drama, starring alongside Felicity Jones who played wife Jane.

Redmayne has won over audiences across the globe with his impressive performances in My Week with Marilyn, Les Miserables and now The Theory of Everything, but he hasn’t forgotten where he started out – weekend classes at the Jackie Palmer Stage School in Bridge Street, High Wycombe.

Marylyn Phillips, Principal of Jackie Palmer Stage School, says that Eddie and his former classmates James Corden and Aaron Taylor Johnson all keep in touch with the school that helped them on the way to stardom.

Ms Phillips said she knew Eddie had a special talent as soon as she met him.

She said: "Eddie applied to join Jackie Palmer Agency when he was 10 years old and the moment we met him we knew he was very special.

"Even when he was at Eton he joined us for the Jackie Palmer Stage School shows at the Wycombe Swan, singing from shows such as "Into the Woods" and "Sweeney Todd".

"He couldn't be with us on the stage school's 40th Birthday, due to filming commitments, he still found time to send us a message to say how much he had enjoyed taking part in the shows of such a marvellous school. 

“If you were to ask me what makes Eddie Redmayne so special it is that he has a natural feel whether it is singing or acting.

"He is at one with the character he is playing; he has respect for the person he is portraying, but above all, he is a very caring, down to earth, humble actor, who happens to be exceptionally talented."

Speaking after his win last night, Ms Phillips said the school were “over the moon for Eddie having won the award for Best Actor at the Oscars”.

When picking up the award, the tearful star dedicated his prestigious award to the Hawking family and promised to take care of it on their behalf.

He said: “This belongs to all of the people around the world battling ALS. It belongs to one exceptional family; Stephen, Jane, Jonathan and the Hawking children and I will be its custodian and I promise you I will look after him.”

The critically-acclaimed biopic, which was up for three awards including Best Picture, as well as Best Actor and Best Actress, was also filmed in various locations across South Bucks.

The Royal Standard of England, in Forty Green, played host to the film crews who transported the pub back to 1960s Cambridge.

Stephen and Jane Hawking’s wedding scene was filmed at Holy Trinity Church in Penn and scenes were shot around Puttenham Farm and woodland areas in Penn Bottom.