Latest awards bump up King's Speech actor Colin Firth's Oscar chances

THE King's Speech won the best-actor trophy for Colin Firth and a second honour for its cast at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.

The two prizes capped a week-long surge of Hollywood honours for the monarchy saga, which is building momentum for the Oscars on 27 February, where Facebook drama The Social Network previously had looked like the favourite.

Natalie Portman, who is expecting her first child in the summer, took the best-actress award at the SAG ceremony for Black Swan, while The Fighter co-stars Christian Bale and Melissa Leo swept the supporting-acting honours.

The cast of HBO crime drama Boardwalk Empire, including Scots actress Kelly Macdonald, won the award for best ensemble in a drama series.

The King's Speech leads Oscar contenders with 12 nominations, among them best picture and best actor for Firth.

"Until today, I would say probably if ever I felt that I had a trophy which has told me that something's really happening for me, it was my SAG card," said Firth, who plays the Queen's father, George VI, as he takes the throne in the 1930s while struggling to overcome a debilitating stammer. "Growing up in England, it's not something you expect to see in your wallet, really."