Actor Colin Firth credited in human brain study

Oscar winner Colin Firth could be the new poster boy for science after being credited as an author of an academic paper.

The King's Speech star is listed as one of four co-authors of a study into human brains that has been hailed as a "useful contribution" to the field. The work stemmed from Firth's guest editorship on Radio 4's Today programme in December.

He is the latest celebrity to be associated with the world of science after Professor Brian Cox - a former chart star with the band D:ream, and now a particle physicist - recently helped popularise his field through his TV shows.