Mirren hottest Oscar favourite-UK bookies

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) Helen Mirren was installed by bookmakers today as the hottest favourite in the history of the Oscars after being nominated for Best Actress for her regal portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in ''The Queen''.

Mirren led a strong field of British contenders for the most coveted prizes in showbusiness with ''The Queen'' garnering six nominations.

Buckingham Palace was thrilled by the British showing.

''It is a very positive day for the British film industry. We are delighted for all those who have been nominated,'' said a spokeswoman.

But she would not say whether Queen Elizabeth had seen Mirren's critically acclaimed portrayal of her.

''We never reveal Her Majesty's personal preferences or what she is viewing or reading,'' the spokeswoman said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, played in the movie by Michael Sheen, has not yet seen the film, his spokesman said.

''The fact that British actors, actresses, directors and films figure so strongly in the Oscar nominations is fantastic news,'' he added.

''Mirren is the hottest favourite at odds of 12-1 on. That is the shortest price we have ever had for the nominations,'' said a spokesman for bookmakers William Hill.

Mirren, 61, has already won a clutch of awards in Venice, New York and Los Angeles for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth as she faced an outpouring of national grief after the death of Princess Diana in a 1997 Paris car crash.

But she faces tough competition for the Best Actress award from her compatriots Kate Winslet and Judi Dench as well as Spaniard Penelope Cruz and Meryl Streep, the sole American contender.

On hearing the news that she had been nominated for her performance in school-based drama ''Notes on a Scandal,'' Dench said in a statement: ''I'm in frighteningly good company. It was very nice of 'The Queen' to allow me in for a minute. It is one of the hardest parts I have played.'' She paid tribute to the film's director Richard Eyre and said ''He steered me through the rough parts of it.'' Stephen Frears, nominated for Best Director for ''The Queen'' which is also up for Best Picture, confessed to being amazed, especially as he is in competition with Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese.

''They are fantastic. Listen, if you get put on a list with those guys you've done pretty well,'' he told BBC TV.

And he promised that on Oscar night next month ''I'm going to wear a full-length evening gown''.

He was joined in the Best Director nominations by compatriot Paul Greengrass for ''United 93'' about the September 11 attacks.

''It's wonderful to be part of a film that dealt with these very difficult, painful and contentious events,'' he told BBC TV.

''Cinema is a vital way we tell stories to each other,'' he added. ''Cinema, to remain alive, has to deal with what is contemporary and difficult.'' The 79th annual Academy Awards take place on February 25 in Hollywood.

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