When the 41-year-old actor was asked how he felt when he saw himself with white hair and wrinkles, he replied, "Funny, because that's how we designed the older Mandela to assimilate how I would look, and ironically I looked just like my old man. I designed my Mandela on my dad."

He also admits his father was “emotional” when he watched him take on the role as he knew it would be one of the last times he would see him on the big screen.

He added to The Sun newspaper, "He cried. He was so emotional, because I think he must have known, if I'm really honest about it."

"He must have thought it was one of the last times he was going to see one of my really big performances."

"It's a sad film and now, when I think about it, it must have been emotional for him. He must have known. We were all in denial. It was a great moment to share."

‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ is in cinemas now.

Teamtalk

(Credit: Gallo Images Idris Elba)