Brendan Fraser in tears as new film The Whale receives standing ovation at London Film Festival-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro

Brendan Fraser became emotional as he received a massive standing ovation for his new film The Whale.

The acclaimed actor, 53, was a massive star in the 90s and early 2000s, having appeared in some of the biggest action films of the decade.

However he took a long break from acting after suffering multiple injuries, going through a divorce and battling with depression, as well as speaking out about an alleged sexual assault.

The actor has been welcomed back to the industry with open arms by fans, with The Whale massively anticipated – particularly after its incredible reception at the Venice Film Festival.

On Tuesday night, the Mummy star received rapturous applause as his new film was screened at the London Film Festival, with Brendan becoming visibly emotional.

Brendan, who was on stage as the cheering audience leapt to their feet, was in tears at the five-minute-long ovation, and was hugged tightly by Samuel D Hunter, who wrote the play the film is based on.

Brendan joined the cast and crew of The WHale for the London Film Festival this week (Picture: Twitter)

The actor was emotional as he took in the ovation, going on to tightly embrace the director and writer of the film (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

Footage from the emotional moment was shared on social media, with Twitter users becoming as emotional as Brendan as they shared their joy at his return to the screen.

‘I have never seen a standing ovation at London Film Festival but Brendan Fraser just blew the roof off,’ one person present at the premiere wondered.

Another shared a clip of the moment Brendan took a bow of thanks on stage, captioning the sweet moment with a teary-eyed emoji.

The dramedy sees Brendan play a reclusive English teacher who suffers from an eating disorder (Picture: AP)

The Whale centres around a reclusive English teacher (Brendan) who is battling with a compulsive eating disorder and trying to rebuild his relationship with estranged teenage daughter, Elle.

Co-starring Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink as Elle, Brendan has already scooped the Toronto International Film Festival TIFF Tribute Award for his performance in the film 

Brendan had previously been reduced to tears by the film’s reception at the Venice Film Festival, where he and his co-stars were given a six-minute ovation.

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WWE legend Dwayne Johnson was among those congratulations the actor at the time, writing on Twitter: ‘Man this makes me so happy to see this beautiful ovation for Brendan.

‘He supported me coming into his Mummy Returns franchise for my first ever role, which kicked off my Hollywood career.’

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