Murray falls at the final hurdle again

THE King’s Speech has the most nominations for this year’s Oscars.

The film about George VI and his battle with his stammer is up for 12.

Favourite to pick up Best Actor is Colin Firth for his portrayal of the king. He was also nominated last year, but missed out to Jeff Bridges. Firth has already, this year, won a Golden Globe for playing George VI.

But I think Geoffrey Rush’s performance in the film was better.

He is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. However all the press attention has been on Firth. In my opinion it is Rush who brings the humour to the film and his is slightly unpredictable.

The film has already taken £20 million at the box office.

Favourite for Best Actress is Natalie Portman for the film Black Swan.

Meanwhile, what a shame Andy Murray could not make it third time lucky and take his first major title at the Australian Open.

He has now reached three finals, the first being The US Open in 2008, the second last year at Australia and the third this year, also at Australia, but he has yet to take a set in the final.

Many have said this year was his best chance so far as both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had been knocked out.

Howvere Novak Djokovic was too strong for him and applied the pressure from the first game. Murray’s first serve percentage was low and he looked beaten from very early in the game.