Smiley, you've got your first Oscar nod

Speaking today from Berlin, Mr Oldman said: "This afternoon in Berlin I have learned that I was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Actor.

"You may have heard this before, but it has never been truer than it is for me today, it is extremely humbling, gratifying, and delightful to have your work recognized by the Academy, and to join the celebrated ranks of previous nominees and colleagues. Amazing."

The 53-year-old British actor has spoken of his hopes for the adaptation of John le Carré's novel, saying: "We're very proud of this great experience. Great cast, great book, great script. Terrific writer. It is a special one."

Writer Peter Straughan said: "I'm stunned and thrilled to hear about the nomination. I wish more than anything in the world that my wife Bridget O'Connor - who did the lion's share of the adaptation - could be here to enjoy this moment.

"She would be so happy and so proud. I'm going to go and meet my daughter now and tell her how clever her mother was."

Today's nominations see Meryl Streep's performance as Margaret Thatcher go head-to-head with Michelle Williams's Marilyn Monroe for the best actress Oscar.

British actor and director Kenneth Branagh was also nominated for best supporting actor for his role in My Week With Marilyn - the true story of Monroe's British film shoot with Laurence Olivier.

Branagh, 51, said: "It was a rare honour to play Sir Laurence Olivier. To be recognised by the Academy for doing so is overwhelming."

British actress Janet McTeer is also in the running for supporting actress for Irish drama Albert Nobbs.

And two blockbusters made in Britain with mainly British casts - Hugo by Martin Scorsese and War Horse from Steven Spielberg - will battle with awards frontrunner The Artist for best picture.

Scorsese's first foray into 3D cinema, described as a love letter to the movies, led the pack with 11 nominations.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is also up for best screen adaptation for Peter Straughan and Bridget O'Connor. And Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry's adaptation of the Jonathan Safran Foer novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close joins the list of nominations for best film alongside the Brad Pitt drama Moneyball and Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.

But overall My Week With Marilyn has emerged as the strongest British contender with Branagh taking on other best supporting actor nominees including Max von Sydow in the Daldry movie.

The 84th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on February 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood with Billy Crystal as host.

The main nominations

Best picture
War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Best actor
Demian Bachir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Best actress
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Best supporting actor
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hil, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best supporting actress
Bérénice Bejo, The Arist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help