GEORGE CLOONEY - CLOONEY BACKS DAY-LEWIS

George Clooney has tipped Daniel Day-Lewis to walk away with the Best Actor Oscar at this month's ceremony.

Clooney, who is nominated for his performance in Michael Clayton, believes that there is a clear favourite already in the category.

"If you want my honest opinion, I think it's going to be Daniel Day-Lewis," the former ER star said.

"He sort of irritates all of us because he's so good..... I'll tell you right now, I don't like him!" he then joked.

Day-Lewis is nominated for his role in There Will Be Blood, a role that sees him playing oil prospector Daniel Plainview.

He has been nominated three times previously, picking up the award for his performance in My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown.

Clooney has also won an Oscar, for actor in a supporting role, for the film Syriana.

Viggo Mortensen, Tommy Lee Jones and Johnny Deep are nominated for the award for best actor as well this year.

The ceremony is due to take place on February 24th.