Theory Of Everything director: Stephen Hawking quaffed champagne on set

He also attended the film’s UK premiere.

Felicity Jones, Professor Stephen Hawking and Eddie Redmayne (Ian West/PA)

The director of The Theory Of Everything has told how Stephen Hawking “quaffed a lot of champagne” when he visited the set of the film about his life.

James Marsh said seeing the endurance and bravery of the theoretical physicist was “humbling and remarkable”.

The film starred Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar for his portrayal, and Felicity Jones, as his first wife Jane.

The Theory of Everything premiere – London — Felicity Jones, Professor Stephen Hawking, Jane Hawking and Eddie Redmayne (Ian West/PA)

He told the Press Association: “When he came to our set as we re-created a May ball in a Cambridge college, he quaffed a lot of champagne and gave us his more active blessing.

“We showed him the film when it was finished, and then had an agonising wait as he methodically rendered his verdict via his speech device. It took about 15 minutes.

“His judgment was generous – he declared the film to be ‘broadly true’.

Professor Stephen Hawking death — Professor Stephen Hawking at the premiere of the film (Ian West/PA)

“Our film tells the story of his diagnosis and increasingly debilitating illness – and the stark fact of that was that he was given just a few years to live whilst in his early 20s, during the first blush of his courtship of Jane.

“So if there is one consoling fact on this sad day, it is the fact of his miraculous longevity.

“He lived an incredibly full and productive life, both as a scientist and husband and father.”

Marsh said he was not well positioned to address Prof Hawking’s contributions to theoretical physics, but added: “His mind was preoccupied with the fundamental questions of our existence, our place in the universe and the nature of the universe itself.

“In essence, here was a man who could barely move and yet his mind was able to wander the cosmos using the vehicle and language of mathematics.

“Every single day must have been a challenge and a struggle to transcend the cruel ravages of his disease. His endurance, his bravery and his productivity were humbling and remarkable. Above all, he was unique in every way.”

BAFTA Film Awards 2015 – Press Room – London — James Marsh (left) with Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones alongside presenter David Beckham at the Baftas (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

He added: “His place in history is assured, for his pioneering work on understanding black holes and the early universe, but I will remember him for his bravery, his wit, and the object lesson he delivered every day, that life is what you make it.

“Travel well Steve, to your rightful place among the stars. I trust that in death you have fulfilled your life’s ambition, to know the mind of God.”