Already this year I’ve been lucky enough to see what I think should be four of the five Best Actor nominees at the Oscars.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Steve Carell, Michael Keaton and Eddie Redmayne all give superb performances and should therefore be recognised.

Of those four I’m finding it hard to pick a winner – I know the smart money is currently on Keaton and it would be a typical Oscars-comeback story. Cumberbatch and Redmayne are both excellent as British mathematical geniuses and both brought me to tears. I didn’t like Foxcatcher – I found it too dark – but I did appreciate Carell’s work – I’ve never seen him so unlikeable and menacing on screen. It’s a complete about turn for his regular persona.

Who could be the fifth nominee? Well overnight in LA David Oyelowo has emerged as a serious contender following the debut of Selma at the AFI Fest. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have Brits among the contenders?

There are still some other actors who could crash the party – I think Timothy Spall is still in contention for Mr Turner, as I’m writing this I’m waiting on reaction to Bradley Cooper’s performance in American Sniper and what about Johnny Depp in Into The Woods which no-one has seen yet?

It’s all speculation of course but it’s shaping up to be an incredibly strong category this year. I just wish we could say the same for Beat Actress.