Stephen Daldry is one of the greatest contemporary directors for both stage and screen. On the few occasions I have met him, he has always been charming and generous with his time. He’s been spending most of that time recently at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre directing the revival of David Hare’s Skylight.

On screen his four films Billy Elliot (2000), The Hours (2002), The Reader (2008) and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011) have all been nominated for Best Picture Oscars and his first three films garnered him Best Director nods.

His stage credits include Billy Elliot, The Musical, An Inspector Calls, Machinal and this year’s sell out at the Gielgud, The Audience with Helen Mirren – acknowledged with two Olivier Awards and a Tony.

Stephen likes a ciggy or two so he spent some time outside the theatre during Wednesday night’s Skylight opening.

“You’re a sweet man, Mark,” he said to me when I asked him to sign this sketch and told him I really liked his work, momentarily replacing the cigarette with a sharpie to complete the request.