Awards season is really hotting up here in the US

This year, because the Winter Olympics are in February, they’ve squeezed all of the American awards together.

The Oscars have been brought forward to early March and the others are coming thick and fast this month.

We’ve got the Screen Actors Guild next Saturday, the Grammys in two weeks and, of course, tonight’s Golden Globes. It’s making it a bit of a mad time and a lot of journalists here are saying: “Oh no, it’s the awards season!”

But I actually think it’s one of the most fun times of the year. Almost every another night there’s a red carpet do or another event with huge names attending.

Fortunately I’d be good to go even if it was every night of the week as I’ve amassed no fewer than seven tuxedos over the years. They tend not to really go out of fashion. Aren’t guys lucky?

In fact, even if there were eight in a row I’d be fine as I’ve always got my kilt.

The People’s Choice Awards at LA’s Nokia Theatre on Wednesday kicked it all off. That’s always a good, fun night.

With wonderful American hyperbole they claim anywhere between 160 and 700 million votes were cast. I don’t know how they can possibly get to either of those figures.

Sandra Bullock won again and looked absolutely fabulous as always. We had a nice joke. Funnily enough what I kidded her about was my bargain basement tux.

When I asked what she was wearing she turned it round and asked me. I said it was by the Russian designer, Ross Dressforless. Then she twigged it was the discount store out here called Ross Dress For Less.

Sandra’s always the standout star. Drew Barrymore, who’s expecting, looked great, too. And Britney was looking super and picked up an award as did her ex, Justin Timberlake.

He actually offered the guys in the audience a bit of homely advice. Referring to his wife, Jessica Biel, he told us that the recipe for a happy marriage was to actually put the dishes IN the dishwasher.

There’s always one really top speech and Robert Downey Jr, who won for Iron Man 3, really nailed it this year.

He came on with a big spotlight, really dramatic music and an atmospheric echo on his microphone and just said: “I am Iron Man.”

My opening gambit for my first interview with him sticks in my mind. I said: “Are you as brilliant as I think you are?” There’s nothing like winning them over early.

However many million votes are actually cast at the People’s Choice Awards, the Golden Globes couldn’t be more different. There are only 80 or so members of the Hollywood foreign press who decide the whole thing.

They tend to like big names so although Brit Chiwetel Ejiofor is up for 12 Years A Slave, there’s every chance they’ll go for Tom Hanks, Robert Redford or the one that might surprise everyone, Matthew McConaughey.

There are actually quite a few Brits involved. Two are making history by competing against each other twice. Idris Elba is up for Best Lead Actor In A Mini-series/TV Movie for Luther, while Chiwetel is nominated for Dancing On The Edge.

But I predict a win for my old pal, Michael Douglas. I think he’ll pip the pair of them for his amazing turn as Liberace in Behind The Candelabra. Then Idris and Chiwetel are up against each other in the Lead Actor In A Movie category, Idris as Nelson Mandela in Long Walk To Freedom.

But and I honestly hope I’m wrong I don’t get the feeling it’s going to be a great night for the Brits. In the Best Female In A Drama category there’s fantastic homegrown talent in Dame Judi Dench, Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.

But I think it’s an Aussie who’s going to edge it, Cate Blanchett.

Again it’s this thing of the voters loving a “name” and they just adore Cate. Sandra would be my other tip.

Anyway, it’s sure to be a fantastic night as always, whoever wins.