EXCLUSIVE: 'She was nearly 99 so it was a good innings.' Gary Oldman gets emotional as he opens up for the first time about his beloved mother who 'was hanging on' for him to win his first Oscar before she died

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Almost a year ago Gary Oldman was the king of the Oscars after bagging his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour.

The British star then delighted viewers with an emotional speech during which he told his 98-year-old mother, 'put the kettle on – I'm bringing Oscar home', before thanking her for her support.

Sadly, just three months later Oldman's elderly mom Kathleen passed away.

Now for the first time, the veteran actor has opened up on his loss, admitting that his devoted mother held on to her life to see him pick up the award for his breathtaking performance as British wartime Prime Minister Churchill.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMailTV in Las Vegas, the London-born star added Kathleen had a 'good innings' - an English term referencing a long and prosperous life.

Gary Oldman has opened up for the first time about the loss of his mother Kathleen, who died three months aged 98 after he won his first Oscar last year. He looked emotional as he told DailyMailTV his mother 'always said I would win one. 'I wasn't so optimistic but I think she was holding out' 

Oldman, 60, won hearts with his on stage speech at last year's Oscars thanking America 'for the many wonderful gifts it has given me - my home, my livelihood, my family and now Oscar'

Looking emotional, Oldman revealed that his mother always expected her son to win the highest honor in Hollywood.

'Well she always said I would win one. At least she was optimistic,' Oldman said.

'I wasn't so optimistic but I think she was holding out. Yeah, I won the Oscar and her health started to fade very quickly so I think she was hanging on.'

Oldman, who also starred in the hit movie JFK, added that he enjoyed a very close relationship with Kathleen, who lived with him in her final years.

She was a retired cafe owner who moved to Los Angeles after he moved her out of the family's home in Deptford, South East London.

'She brought me up from seven or eight so that's a long time to actually know someone, it's a long time to be with someone,' he said. 

'She lived with me the last five years of her life, she was living in California the last 25 years so she had a good time...nearly 99 so it was a good innings as they say.'

Oldman, 60, won hearts with his on stage speech at last year's Oscars thanking America 'for the many wonderful gifts it has given me - my home, my livelihood, my family and now Oscar.'

Oldman, who also starred in JFK, added that he enjoyed a very close relationship with Kathleen, who lived with him in her final years. She was a retired cafe owner who moved to Los Angeles after he moved her out of the family's home in Deptford, South East London

But it was his words to his mother, which was one of the most memorable moments of the night

He said: 'I would like to thank my mother, who is older than the Oscars, she is 99 years young next birthday and she's watching the ceremony from the comfort of her sofa.

'I say to my mother, thank you for your love and support, put the kettle on - I'm bringing Oscar home.'

Afterwards Oldman told DailyMail.com his mother was his 'champion' – she raised him and his two sisters alone after her husband walked out when Oldman was seven, and encouraged her son to take up acting.

After her death in June last year a heartfelt tribute was posted on the Instagram account Oldman shares with his wife Gisele Schmidt.

The tribute referred to Kathleen as 'Kay' - as she was known affectionately by her loved ones.

It read: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Kay Oldman, Mother of Gary Oldman, Jacqueline Wyles, and Maureen Lesley Bass.

'Kay was a woman of great talent and mirth, keeping her loved ones smiling with her quick wit and ready repartee until the end. For her family and friends she was a source of warmth, inspiration, amusement, support and she will be deeply missed.

But it was his words to his mother, which was one of the most memorable moments of the night He said: 'I would like to thank my mother, who is older than the Oscars, she is 99 years young next birthday and she's watching the ceremony from the comfort of her sofa. 'I say to my mother, thank you for your love and support, put the kettle on - I'm bringing Oscar home'

'We were very fortunate to have her in our lives and were given time to say goodbye. The past few days have been heartbreaking but also filled with love, laughter, and celebration of a life fully lived.

'We mourn and grieve but loved ones never leave us as long as we keep their memories with us. Kay touched so many of us, so she goes on in our thoughts and in our hearts!'

Oldman spoke as he supported close friend Criss Angel's opening night of MINDFREAK at Planet Hollywood resort, Las Vegas.

Angel admitted that Oldman 'is a truly great friend' who supported him as his son Jonny Crisstopher battled cancer.

The pair is planning a fundraising event for cancer charities later this year at the PH Resort.

Oldman says that his friend Angel is an 'icon' magician in Sin City thanks to his 'Charisma, charm, commitment.'

'He's very tenacious, he's very inventive, because it's a very, like anything, at the top it's competitive, so he's always coming up with new illusions. But he's a great well rounded entertainer. He's an actor and a showman and I think that's part of the longevity.'