Mum in tears after Scouse son lands 'dream' Oscar nomination

A proud mum and dad have hailed their Liverpudlian son after he received an Academy Award nomination. Lee Sandales from Gateacre was one of the names shortlisted today for an Oscar.

The 53-year-old has been recognised in the production design category for his incredible work on the blockbuster musical, Wicked. The talented Scouser's parents were watching from their home in Liverpool as the Oscar nominations were read out at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills.

Lee's mum, Audrey, burst into tears when her son's name was announced by the event's hosts, Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang. The 73-year-old told the ECHO she was emotional as the nomination is deserved recognition for all her son's hard work.

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She said: "I can't put into words how proud of him we are. It's easy to take credit for him, but we just gave him the guidance that he needed and encouraged him as a young boy for him to do what he wanted to do.

"The fact is, it's him. It's how hard he's worked to make that dream come true as young a boy in the theatre, who said this is what I want to do. He worked hard, studied hard and gave up a lot to be where he is now."

Lee's passion for film was ignited when his parents took him to the Odeon on London Road as a seven-year-old boy to watch Star Wars. His dad, Charlie, said his son's talent and dedication was obvious from a young age and meant he was destined for great things.

Charlie, 73, told the ECHO: "He was always in his room drawing and designing. Lee's a perfectionist. He'd get up at 2/3am if he got something in his head and start working."

Lee has enjoyed an incredible career in film and television as he has previously been nominated for Academy Awards for his work on War Horse and 1917. However, he is hoping it is third time lucky and this time he will land one of the prestigious statues.

He has his mum and dad's unwavering support as Audrey said: "We will be hoping and praying. We really are. I have looked at the other categories against him and, I'm not being biased as his mother, but I think if he doesn't [win], it'd be shocking because of the work that him and his team have put into it."

It bodes well for Lee as he has already picked up awards for his work on Wicked from various critics choice awards, which is usually an indication of where the Oscar will go. Audrey added: "It's like a stepping stone, with each award building to where he wants to be. [The Oscar] is what he has been aiming for all along. The [nomination] today was just outstanding."

The Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 3 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The coverage starts at midnight in the UK and Audrey and Charlie are determined to stay up so they can tune in and see if their son wins the Oscar.

However, they laughed they may be recruited to travel down to Lee's home in London for dog-sitting duties while he jets off across the Atlantic for the ceremony with his partner, Mark. Audrey joked: "We normally stay awake but we're wondering if we're going to go to London to mind Lee's miniature Schnauzer. If we're not going to go around and look after him, one of his friends will for the weekend."

Lee has lived in the Capital since he studied craftmanship at university, but remains proud of his Merseyside roots as he regularly returns home and was instrumental in bringing the production of 2017's The Batman to the city. His glittering CV has meant he has worked with some of the greatest directors of all time and he picked up a BAFTA for his work on 1917 in 2020.

However, Audrey said what means most to him is to hear stories of when he had has had an impact on the next generations of Merseyside youngsters to realise their dreams in the same way he has. Audrey said: "I thought it was lovely when he posted a BAFTA on his Instagram, a student made a comment to say, 'you're inspiring me'. She was a young girl from a similar background to Lee and that really touched home with him."