Brits Are Going To The Oscars

Following her nomination for an Oscar, William Hill make Helen Mirren their 1/12 favourite to win the Best Actress award - the shortest odds they have ever offered at this early stage, and 'The Queen' is 8/1 to win the Best Film award and 9/1 that Stephen Frears wins Best Director.

Martin Scorsese is once again the favourite at 1/3 to win Best Director for 'The Departed' with Forest Whitaker a 1/4 shot for Best Actor.

With such a strong British field, the Bookies expect turnover to exceed previous records and are predicting industry turnover to exceed the £1 million mark.

"The Queen is probably Britain's best chance of winning in this year's Oscars with Helen Mirren quoted as the almost unbackable 1/12 favourite and with so much British interest we will be hoping for a record turnover", said William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

One punter, John Kelly from London, will be very pleased that Peter O'Toole has been nominated after placing a £100 bet in March 2006 that he would win an Oscar at 33/1 and should O'Toole win John will be £3,400 richer.