Dame Helen's Oscar dress rehearsal

Dame Helen Mirren enjoyed a dress rehearsal for the Oscars after scooping yet another major best actress trophy.

The 61-year-old sealed her status as a frontrunner for an Academy Award after scoring a double victory at the Screen Actors Guild ceremony in Los Angeles.

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The event is widely regarded as a major indicator of success at the Oscars, which are on 25 February.

Mirren took best actress for her performance in The Queen as well as best actress in a TV movie for Elizabeth I.

She received her awards in a chiffon-draped cocktail dress. "When I did my costume fitting for The Queen, and I saw those sensible shoes and tweed skirts laid out in a row, I cried," she said. "I thought, 'I can't play anyone who chooses to wear those clothes, I just can't do it'.

"But I learned to love the person who chooses to wear those clothes because I learned to love a person without vanity but with a great sense of discipline, a great sense of duty and a great deal of courage."

Mirren added: "It's been the most incredible year for me, ever. That's been amazing at this end of my life. I'm so proud. Especially being a Brit."

Britons were a big hit at the ceremony. Jeremy Irons took best actor in a TV movie for his role as the Earl of Leicester in Elizabeth I.

Hugh Laurie was named best actor in a TV drama series for his performance as an irascible medic in House.

He said: "I am extremely grateful to have been given the chance to play what is to me such a fascinating character and to do it here in America."

British film The Last King Of Scotland secured Forest Whitaker the best actor gong.

The American version of the Ricky Gervais comedy The Office won best ensemble for its cast.