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Mum 'super proud' of set designer son's Oscar win

Jenny Coleman
BBC News, Liverpool
Doug Peters/PA Wire Lee Sandales has short dark hair and a dark beard. He is wearing a black suit with a black shirt and black tie and is holding an Academy Award in his right hand.Doug Peters/PA Wire
Lee Sandales, from Liverpool, scooped the award at Sunday night's Oscars

The mother of a film set designer who has enjoyed the biggest night of his career by winning at the Oscars has said she is "super-proud" of his "incredible" achievement.

Lee Sandales from Gateacre in Liverpool was part of the team which won best production design for the film Wicked at the award ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

His mother Audrey said it was an "extraordinary" moment for her son who also scooped a BAFTA earlier this year.

She said he "loves doing his job" and his family "are very proud of him".

Reuters Nathan Crowley (left) and Lee Sandales (right) pose with Oscars. Mr Crowley is wearing a black suit with a white shirt and black bow tie. Mr Sandales is wearing a black suit with a black shirt and a black tie. Both are holding an Oscar in the air and smiling.Reuters
Nathan Crowley (L) and Lee Sandales (R) celebrated the win at the 97th Academy Awards

Mr Sandales, 53, who went to Gateacre Comprehensive School, had always had a passion for art.

"From a young boy he just knew what he wanted to do," his mum told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"As he grew older his artwork just developed and he went to do Fine Art in London."

She added: "He got a job and never came home.

"He loves every day doing his job and I don't think there are many people who can say that."

ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Ariana Grande, Lena Waithe, and Cynthia Erivo react to Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales winning the Oscar for Best Production Design ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Ariana Grande, Lena Waithe, and Cynthia Erivo celebrate Wicked winning the Oscar for Best Production Design

Wicked was released in November and was directed by Jon M. Chu, and starred Ariana Grande and British actress Cynthia Erivo.

Based on the stage show the film was nominated in 10 categories, winning Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.

Mrs Sandales said the family stayed up overnight to watch a live broadcast of the awards and she had received texts from friends and neighbours throughout the night.

"The phones were just buzzing," she said.

"Even though you are ready and you want it so much you just don't know what's going to happen on the night."

She said her son called her "a few minutes after being backstage, in tears obviously".

"Two weeks ago he was at the British Film Designers Guild Awards, he won that and the week before that the BAFTAs, so he's basically won all 10 of the 10 awards this season," she said.

"It's incredible and I can't tell you how proud of him we are."

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