Idris Elba favourite to win BAFTA for Leading Actor

Bookmaker Coral has unveiled the betting for this year’s BAFTAs, making Luther star Idris Elba the hot favourite at 13-8 to win the award for Leading Actor. Oscar winner Mark Rylance has been priced at 5-2, Stephen Graham is 11-4, with Ben Whishaw the outsider at 4-1.

The Leading Actress category is more competitive but Sheridan Smith edges favouritism at 6-4, just ahead of Suranne Jones at 11-8. Claire Foy and Ruth Madeley are outsiders to scoop the gong at 5-1 and 6-1 respectively.

Adele at the BBC is odds-on at 10-11 to win Best Entertainment Programme, while Strictly Come Dancing is close behind at 11-8. Meanwhile, Coronation Street is expected to beat Eastenders in the category for Best Soap and Continuing Drama at odds of 4-7.

“Both Idris Elba and Sheridan Smith are worthy favourites to win their respective categories and judging from the early money, punters believe they will be the toast of the night,” said Coral’s Nicola McGeady.

**Leading Actor

13-8 Idris Elba, 5-2 Mark Rylance, 11-4 Stephen Graham, 4 Ben Whishaw

**Leading Actress

6-4 Sheridan Smith, 11-8 Suranne Jones, 5-1 Claire Foy, 6-1 Ruth Madeley

**Soap & Continuing Drama

4-7 Coronation Street, 13-8 Eastenders, 12-1 Emmerdale, 33-1 Holby City

**Entertainment Programme

10-11 Adele at the BBC, 6-5 Strictly Come Dancing, 8-1 Britain’s Got Talent, 20-1 TFI Friday Anniversary Special