London. 8 February 2009.

Orange is proud to announce that Noel Clarke has been chosen by the British public as this year’s winner of the Orange Rising Star Award.

The Orange Rising Star Award is the only audience award presented at the Orange British Academy Film Awards. Noel was one of five international actors and actresses nominated for their exceptional talent and recognised as a star in the making. The other nominees shortlisted for the award were: Michael Cera, Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Hall and Toby Kebbell.

Noel began his acting career by winning a Laurence Olivier Theatre award for Most Promising Newcomer in 2002. As a TV star he became well-known for his role as Mickey Smith in Doctor Who. Noel then wrote and starred in the critically-acclaimed Kidulthood, followed by writing, directing and starring in its sequel Adulthood, one of the highest grossing British films in 2008. Noel will next star in the feature film Heartless, alongside Jim Sturgess and Timothy Spall.

Ian Smith, Head of Partnerships at Orange, commented: “We are delighted that Noel Clarke has been chosen as this year’s Orange Rising Star. Year-on-year, public support for the award and its nominees continues to grow and 2009 has seen a record number of votes. Noel is truly a fantastic role model for the next generation of aspiring film talent in Britain.”

Finola Dwyer, Chairman of the BAFTA Film Committee, said: “The Orange Rising Star is a brilliant award as it shines a bright spotlight on the next generation of acting talent. I’m sure the British public will join me in congratulating a very deserving winner.”

The Orange Rising Star Award celebrates an actor or actress of any nationality who has demonstrated exceptional talent and ambition and who has already begun to capture the imagination of the British public as a film star in the making.

Unlike any other award at the Orange British Academy Film Awards, the Orange Rising Star Award was voted for by the British public via text message or on the Orange website.

For more information on the Orange Rising Star Award, visit www.orange.co.uk/bafta or www.bafta.org

For more information please contact:

Press Enquiries / Orange
Naomi Li or Claire Timlett at M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment:
Tel: 0207 544 3687/ 543 4580
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Images – will be available from Getty Images – www.gettyimages.com/publicity

Ends

Notes to Editors

About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts exists to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the viewing public.

About Orange

Orange is a key brand of the France Telecom Group, providing mobile, broadband, fixed, business and entertainment services across Europe. It is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with more than 170 million customers on five continents.

In June, 2006, Orange became the single brand for mobile, broadband and multi-play offers. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries with network reach in 220.

In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population. At the end of September 2008, Orange had over 16.84 million customers in the UK – 15.82 million active mobile customers and over one million fixed broadband customers.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.

Further information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.co.uk or the France Telecom group international website at www.orange.com and www.francetelecom.com

For further information, call the Orange press office on 0870 373 1500 or email: [email protected].