Mirren's Oscar Already On Mantelpiece

Bookmakers William Hill have already begun paying out to punters who have backed Helen Mirren to win the Best Actress Oscar - it is the first time in over twenty years of Oscars betting that William Hill have paid out on a winner before the announcement has actually been made.

The bookies will fork out in excess of £50,000 to Mirren fans who have been backing her since the Oscar betting opened. At the close of betting Helen Mirren was the 1/66 favourite with Meryl Streep 12/1 second favourite.

"Our customers think the 'Best Actress' race is already over and, following Mirren's recent success at other Award ceremonies, we are inclined to agree with them. With a bit of luck, once punters have collected their winnings they will reinvest on other more competitive Oscar markets", said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

If Helen fails to win it will be the biggest upset in Oscar betting history.

In the other categories, William Hill rate Forest Whitaker as their 1/5 favourite to win the Best Actor Oscar, Martin Scorsese the 2/9 favourite to win the Best Director and Even money that his film The Departed will win the Best Film award.