Here come the Oscars

Updated 13.41 Sun Feb 25 2007

Keywords: Helen Mirren, The Queen, Oscars

British hopefuls stand their best chance in years as Hollywood gears up for the Oscars.

Dame Helen Mirren is the strongest British contender in the awards history, and so certain are bookmakers that she will scoop the best actress prize for The Queen, they have already paid out on her win.

Comic Ellen Degeneres will host the 79th annual Academy Awards ceremony from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles

The Queen has a total of six nominations: best picture, best original screenplay, best original score, best costume design, best actress and best director for Stephen Frears.

Martin Scorsese's gritty cop thriller The Departed is favourite to land the best picture prize, but the field is considered relatively open.

The Queen, Babel, Letters From Iwo Jima and Little Miss Sunshine are each in with a chance.

Comic Ellen Degeneres will host the 79th annual Academy Awards ceremony from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.