Dench plays down Oscar expectations

Judi Dench has played down her chances of success at the Oscars, after revealing she will not be at the Hollywood ceremony later this month.

The 72-year-old actress is due to go into hospital for surgery on her leg but says she will be watching the ceremony and cheering from her bed.

"Don't put any money on me because you'll lose," she told reporters at the Berlin Film Festival.

Dench is up for the best actress prize for her role as a lonely, scheming teacher in London-based drama Notes On A Scandal.

It is her sixth Oscar nomination, and follows her best supporting actress victory in 1998 with Shakespeare In Love.

The Academy Awards ceremony takes place at the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, on the 25th of February.