WHY OLIVIA COLMAN, TIPPED FOR BAFTA G

RARELY has the title of a film described its star so well as The Favourite and Olivia Colman.

Her stellar performance as the frail and unpredictable Queen Anne has won the hugely versatile actress even more fans.

And the pitch-perfect portrayal of the 18th century monarch has already netted Olivia her second Golden Globe.

Tonight the lavish, comical period drama may land the star her fourth Bafta.

But the icing on the cake could come in a fortnight if she wins the best actress Oscar for the regal role.

And next month the star joins the ranks of Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench when she is presented with a fellowship of the BFI.

With national treasure status beckoning and all those awards, many actors would be full of themselves.

But Olivia, 45, is not many actors. She wears her well-earned fame with the same kind, warm humility that has characterised her amazing career.

Friends of the star, who first pinged the nation’s radar in the 2003 cult sitcom Peep Show, say she is unchanged by fame.

Actor and writer Jonathan Dryden Taylor, who met her in 1994, said: “She’s the same person now as she was back then, the warmest, most delightful human being. I don’t think you can find anyone in the industry with a bad word about her.”

He recalled Olivia, nicknamed Collie, taking him to one side and thanking him for the jokes he penned for her in That Michell and Webb Sound sketch show.

Intense