Rafe Spall in awe of dad Timothy

Rafe Spall feels like a child showing a parent a really bad drawing when he performs in front of his dad.

The actor’s father is Timothy Spall, who has created Oscar buzz with his latest film, Mr. Turner. Having followed in his parent’s footsteps, there’s added pressure when Timothy comes to watch one of Rafe’s performances.

“It’s nerve wracking - it’s a scary thing!” he admitted to TV show Good Morning Britain.

“I get more scared with my parents there than the press. You want them to think you’re doing a good job. My dad is a national treasure, so I want him to think I’m good and I really just want to impress my wife [Elize du Toit].

“You know when you’re about five and do a really rubbish picture of a car and your dad goes, ‘That’s AMAZING!’? It’s much like that! He’s nothing but supportive and encouraging.”

Understandably, the whole family is very proud of Timothy, 57, and his success with Mr. Turner, which explores the life of artist J.M.W. Turner. They are all hopeful he will score an Oscar nomination when awards season comes around.

“It’s a proud thing for my family that he’s getting all these deserved accolades,” Rafe smiled.

Rafe, 31, and actress Elize have children of their own; three-year-old Lena and Rex, two.

Recently he’s realised his age, as he’s taken on more responsibility come Christmas.

“You’re a grown up when you make dinner for your parents. We did it last year, it was hard. But we are really just doing a family thing [this year]!” he revealed.

And getting fully involved in the festive spirit this year, Rafe is appearing in children’s Christmas flick Get Santa, which hits cinemas next month.