Christian Bale pays tribute to boxer as he accepts Oscar

Eklund, who was portrayed by Bale in The Fighter, stood up and punched the air as the British actor gave him and his half-brother Micky Ward a shout-out from the stage.

“Dickie and Mickey. Where’s my quacker? Dickie’s up there somewhere,” Bale yelled into the audience at the Kodak Theatre.

Seeing the former New England welterweight champion get to his feet, he said: “Mate, you’re the best. He’s had a wonderful story and I can’t wait to see the next chapter of his story. If you want to be a champion, if you want to train with him, go and meet with him. Go and check him out. He deserves it.”

Bale, 37, also marvelled at the “talented and inspirational people” he saw in the Oscars audience and questioned: “What the hell am I doing here in the midst of you? It’s such an honour.”

After thanking his co-stars in The Fighter – and vowing not to “drop the F bomb” like Melissa Leo - he choked back tears as he paid tribute to his wife Sandra. “I didn’t think I was like this,” he said, caught up with emotion. My wonderful wife who’s my mast through the storms of life. I hope I’m likewise to you.”