IF THE bookies are anything to go by, Emma Thompson already has three Academy Awards in the bag for Sense and Sensibility. She will know at about 5.30 a.m. tomorrow.
The film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel is favourite for best picture, best leading actress and best adapted screenplay.
Susan Sarandon is favourite to collect the best US actress award for her performance in Dead Man Walking. Sharon Stone is also in with a chance for Martin Scorsese's Las Vegas mobster story Casino.
The winner for Worst Picture is Showgirls. The critically panned movie about Las Vegas strippers swept yesterday's Golden Raspberry Awards, picking up a record seven "Razzies", including the Worst Picture of the Year.
Showgirls also took the Worst Original Song Razzie for Walk into the Wind.
The veteran journalist, Alistair Cooke (87) marked the 50th anniversary of his Letter from America by rereading the first of his popular 15 minute BBC radio talks. Having just returned from a month long sobering visit to post war London, he described the minor privations of life in New York, where nylon stockings and butter were rare, in the winter of 1945-46.
The letter was the first of 2,458 about life in his adopted homeland, an assignment first given to him by Director of the Spoken Word. Cooke says he will continue broadcasting until he is summoned by the real Director of the Spoken Word.
Princess Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, are soaking up the sun in Barbuda. They were staying at the £1,800 a night K Club, created eight years ago by Italian fashion designer Krizia Mandelli to offer "total bliss to just a few, a special few".
Princess Diana flew to the Caribbean just a day after being badly shaken up in a multiple car crash that sparked police despair about her refusal to accept their protection.
A dress worn by Joan Collins when drink was spilled over her in a famed 1970s TV advert for Cinzano is expected to fetch £400 this week. The crepe and silk dress still has stains on the bodice left by the late Rising Damp star Leonard Rossiter when he spilled his drink. It goes on sale at a Sotheby's auction of stars clothes in London on Wednesday.