‘The King’s Speech’ leads the field for this year’s Academy Awards, receiving 12 nods in total and Colin Firth is Sky Bet’s overwhelming favourite at 1/12 to win best actor.
Firth, who picked up the Golden Globe earlier this month, is deemed a certainty to bag the best actor gong for his moving portrayal of stammering King George VI.
Sky Bet also offer 25/1 that ‘The King’s Speech’ wins all three of the acting categories in which it is nominated. In addition to Firth’s best actor nod, Helena Bonham Carter is nominated for best supporting actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth and Geoffrey Rush, who plays the King’s unorthodox speech therapist, is in the running for best supporting actor.
The Tom Hooper drama is 9/4 second favourite to win best picture. Facebook movie ‘The Social Network’, which won the best picture award at both the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice awards earlier this month, is Sky Bet’s 1/3 favourite to prevail.
Sky Bet’s entertainment betting expert Helen Jacob said: "The film with most Oscar nominations wins best picture around 75% of the time so 12 nods bodes very well for ‘The King’s Speech’.
"’The Social Network’ has swept the critics’ prizes this year but the surprise win for ‘The King’s Speech’ at the Producers’ Guild Awards on Saturday suggests that it could derail the favourite on February 27."
Sky Bet are also offering a host of specials on the Oscars ceremony itself and offer even money for either the best actress or supporting actress winner to cry during their acceptance speech.
16/1 is on offer for any winner to drop the statuette and it’s 33/1 for a streaker to run on stage and interrupt proceedings!
Tagged in Colin Firth