Bafta win puts Cillian Murphy in pole position for his first Oscar 

The Cork-born Oppenheimer star is tipped to shine still brighter in awards season: In four out of the last five years, the Best Actor Bafta winner went on to emerge victorious on Oscar night, writes Esther McCarthy

Cillian Murphy — the iconic Bafta logo behind him — arriving at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday where his won the Bafta for Best Actor for 'Oppenheimer'. Picture: Ian West/PA

Cillian Murphy is now a clear favourite to win his first Oscar next month following his Best Actor award at Sunday night’s Baftas.

The Cork actor approaches the final weeks to Oscar night with the wind firmly behind him after winning his first Bafta for his work on Oppenheimer.