Crystal Palace are unlikely to win many trophies this year, but one high profile fan may well be up for the cup come the end of the season.

Forest Hill resident and Eagles supporter Timothy Spall has already picked up the Best Actor award at Cannes Film Festival for his portrayal of artist JMW Turner in Mike Leigh’s highly-regarded biopic Mr Turner and being touted as an Oscar contender.

As with any actor in a Mike Leigh film, the 57-year-old prepared thoroughly so he could embody his role.

Speaking to Vibe on the red carpet at Mr Turner’s UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Friday (October 10), Timothy said: “I had painting lessons for two years.

It wasn't difficult, it was fun. What it did make me realise is Turner was a great painter - a genius - and I'm not.”

While it may not be obvious looking at Turner’s gorgeous landscapes, the man behind the brush was far from straightforward and the film shows a character full of contradictions.

Timothy said: “If you didn't know anything about Turner and you just looked at his work you would imagine him a completely different character.

“He was very, very human, almost gruff. He could have been moulded out of the mud of the Thames. But he had a polymathic intellect. He had a massive knowledge of Greek mythology, art and all the disciplines of architecture. 

“He was a man of infinite intelligence, great, great talent - and he was also a very flawed human being.”

On top of a fascination with the character, the chance to work with one of the country’s most treasured directors one more time was part of the appeal for Timothy.

He said: “The fact Mike Leigh asked me to do it was one of the big reasons (for making the film), it being the seventh project I have worked with him on over 33 years.

 “It is by far the most proud professional association of my life that I have worked with him over all these years.”

Mr Turner (12A) is out nationwide on October 31.