Bring on Oscars as Colin Firth triumphs at Globes

• Colin Firth won for his performance in The King's Speech

The 50-year-old received the accolade for his portrayal of the stammering King George VI in what was the one and only award for The King's Speech, which had been nominated in seven categories.

Welsh actor Christian Bale was the only other British victor, winning the supporting actor gong for his acclaimed performance in The Fighter.

Glasgow-born Kelly MacDonald missed out on the best supporting actress award for her turn in Boardwalk Empire, although the hit US series won best television drama.

In a widely-admired acceptance speech, Firth said the prize was particularly welcome for an actor entering middle age.

Addressing the star-studded audience at the Los Angeles ceremony on Sunday evening, he said: "To get to this stage of your life with your dignity and judgment intact can be somewhat precarious. Sometimes all you need is a bit of gentle reassurance to keep you on track but right now this is all that stands between me and a Harley Davidson."

The Hampshire-born actor, who was nominated for a best actor Oscar last year for his performance in A Single Man, is now just 1/16 with William Hill to take this year's award.

Rupert Adams, a spokesman for the bookmaker, said it meant Firth was the shortest-priced Oscar favourite since Helen Mirren, who won in 2007 for her portrayal of the Queen. "As far as we are concerned it is as good as on the mantelpiece," he added.

Rival firm Ladbrokes also believes Firth to be the clear favourite at odds of 1/7, with his nearest competitors - James Franco and Jesse Eisenberg - rated as 8/1 and 9/1 shots respectively.

Firth's co-star Guy Pearce, who plays King Edward VIII in the film, said he was thrilled to see his friend recognised.

He said: "I'm more than pleased for Colin tonight. How could one be more excited for such a lovely and talented man to win an award such as this? I think for Colin, particularly, he delivered such a great performance - it's fantastic."

Another of his co-stars, Helena Bonham Carter, said she expected the father of three to win an Oscar, explaining: "I've had a Golden Globe nomination before and then didn't get an Oscar nomination. But I presume Colin will get one, and I presume Colin will win."

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Tom Hooper, director of The King's Speech, said: "I'm thrilled for Colin, I was just pleased to be in the room with seven nominations in the first place".

Firth was due to return to London on a flight yesterday.

British hopes had been pinned on his film, which tells the story of the unlikely relationship between the monarch and an Australian speech therapist who helps him cope with his stammer.

The awards, voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are often seen as a guide to later Oscar success.

However, the big winner of the evening was The Social Network. The film, which charts the rise of social networking website, Facebook, won four awards including best picture, best director, and best screenplay.

In his acceptance speech, Batman star Bale paid tribute to Mark Wahlberg, his co-star in The Fighter.

"I've really got to give a shout-out to Mark, because he drove this whole movie, and you can only give a loud performance like the one I gave when you have a quiet anchor and a stoic character," he said. "I've played that one many times, and it never gets any notice."

Elsewhere, Natalie Portman scooped best actress in a movie drama for the ballet-themed film Black Swan.

The best animated film went to Toy Story 3, while smash television series, Glee, won best TV musical or comedy as well as two supporting actor prizes.

British nominees who missed out on an award included Hugh Laurie for his role as grumpy doctor Gregory House in the television drama House and Idris Elba for his role in the BBC detective drama, Luther.

Former Lovejoy star Ian McShane was also nominated for his part in the mini-series, Pillars Of The Earth but failed to win.

Among the guests at the awards ceremony, which was presented by Ricky Gervais, were Michael Douglas, who attended with wife Catherine Zeta Jones after beating throat cancer.

The 66-year-old actor, who presented an award, said he was feeling much better.

"As of last week the tumour has gone," he explained. "This type of cancer doesn't usually come back. I'm so happy to be (here], it's our first time out in months and months and to be able to have this day cancer-free is pretty special."