Idris Elba snubbed by BAFTA for Mandela role... as Chiwetel Ejiofor becomes favourite to take home best actor for 12 Years A Slave
PUBLISHED: 15:50, 8 January 2014 | UPDATED: 17:06, 8 January 2014
He was tipped to get a Best Actor nomination for his Nelson Mandela biopic, however Idris Elba missed out on a nod from BAFTA on Wednesday.
The Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom star appeared to have been ignored, and instead Christian Bale, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tom Hanks will battle it out for the gong.
While other British talent including Dame Judi Dench and Chiwetel were recognised, the 41-year-old did not cut it despite rave reviews and his double Golden Globe nomination.
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Snubbed: Idris Elba missed out on a nod from BAFTA on Wednesday for his role in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
The Luther actor - for which he is also nominated in the US -won over audiences in the film about the late South African president based on his bestselling autobiography.
On release, Idris was praised for his accent and moving portrayal of the politician, from his childhood in a tiny, rural village, to his inauguration.
Fans of the star took to Twitter to share their disappointment, with one suggesting he had been 'robbed'.
One wrote: 'Stunned that Idris Elba didn't get a Best Actor BAFTA nom, but it's all irrelevant as Chiwetel Ejiofor's already won it.'
Golden Glove nominee: The Luther actor won over audiences in the film about the late South African president based on his bestselling autobiography
While another added: 'Can't believe Idris Elba hasn't been nominated for a Bafta.. Gutted, it's such a good film'.
There was no sign of animosity from Idris however, who tweeted to say: 'Congrats to @Oprah and Chiwetel @LupitaNyongo M.fassbender on their @BAFTA nominations. GREAT PERFORMANCE'S Well deserved my friends.'
Speaking about the Golden Globes, he told E!'s Chelsea Lately this week: 'The problem is there's two tables to sit on: there's a Mandela table and there's a Luther table. So, since I already won at the Luther table, I was going to sit at the Mandela table. But if I don't win that, I'm gonna run back.'
Adding: 'I've got to think about a speech, because you play someone like Nelson Mandela, you have to say something really important if you win.'
Fellow Brit: Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave continued its award season success, with Chiwetel Ejiofor (pictured) getting a nod for Best Actor
He isn't the only Mandela star to miss out, as his costar Naomie Harris also failed to score a nod, although the movie has been nominated for Outstanding British Film.
Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave continued its award season success by picking up 10 nominations from BAFTA.
The movie, which is heavily tipped for the Oscars, picked up nominations for McQueen and three of its stars and is in the running to be named best film.
Chiwetel, who plays a free man kidnapped and sold into slavery in America's deep south, is nominated while co-stars Lupita Nyong'o and Michael Fassbender are nominated for supporting actress and actor respectively.
He said: 'I continue to be immensely proud of the recognition this film is getting around the world. There is, of course, something particularly special about receiving a Bafta nomination from home.'
Bookmakers immediately installed him as favourite to win his category with odds of 1-4 and made 12 Years A Slave favourite to be named best film.
Bookies favourite: Chiwetel's co-stars Lupita Nyong'o and Michael Fassbender are also nominated for supporting actress and actor respectively
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2535906/Idris-Elba-snubbed-BAFTA-Mandela-role-Chiwetel-Ejiofor-favourite-home-best-actor-12-Years-A-Slave.html#ixzz2pqVYAR00
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