John Boyega parties ahead of Star Wars filming

Actor John Boyega headed to the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards afterparty on Sunday night (14Feb16) despite starting the next installment of Star Wars on Monday (15Feb16).

The British newcomer, who plays Finn in the new franchise, scooped the EE Rising Star Award at the London ceremony, beating actors Taron Egerton, Dakota Johnson, Brie Larson, and Bel Powley to the fan-voted prize.

He revealed to reporters backstage he would be starting to shoot Star Wars: Episode VIII on Monday morning and although he was being picked up at 6am to head to the set, at Pinewood Studios outside London, he would still be going to the afterparty to celebrate his win.

"Guys let me be honest with you, I'm running on fumes here," he says. "I start work at 6am, that's 6am pick-up, I'm supposed to be in the car and then go straight to doing the whole Star Wars stuff again. So tomorrow's my first day on set... All I'm saying is this (the award) is going to look great on the Millennium Falcon.

"I am gonna go to the afterparty, I can't lie... I'm going to have to figure out (when to leave the party). My mum and dad are in Nigeria so they can't call me and tell me nothing (sic)."

He refused to comment on any details regarding the upcoming plot or the future of his character, but admitted he is so happy with the win and his return to set that he fears he won't be able to do any tough acting.

"It feels amazing (to go back)," he adds. "I hope there's no dark scenes tomorrow, I wouldn't know how to act... it's going to be fun."

He also said he planned to take the trophy to the set, and joked, "I'm going to get into arguments tomorrow just because I have this."