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Kate Winslet fought back tears as she celebrated a double triumph at one of the glitziest award ceremonies in the Hollywood calendar. Five times a nominee, the Reading-born leading lady can now add the words Golden Globe winner to her CV.
The actress was named best actress for her part in Revolutionary Road and in the supporting category for The Reader.
Astonishment was written all over Kate's face as she took to the stage almost hyperventilating – and acknowledged her fellow nominees: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Kristin Scott Thomas and Angelina Jolie. "I'm so sorry Anne, Meryl, Kristin - and who's the other one? Angelina... Now forgive me, is this really happening?" she marvelled.
In her emotional address she also thanked her "spectacular" Revolutionary Road co-star Leonardo DiCaprio and her husband Sam Mendes, the film's director "for killing us every single day". "I loved every second of working with you", she told him.
Other British wins included Sally Hawkins, named best actress in a comedy or musical for her sunny school teacher in Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky, and Slumdog Millionaire, the Mumbai-set drama by director Danny Boyle, which took three awards.
Heather Ledger received a posthumous supporting actor trophy for The Dark Knight, while Mickey Rourke sealed the most stunning comeback story of recent times with a best actor in a drama gong for The Wrestler.
"It's been a very long road back for me," he told the audience. "Several years ago I was almost out of this business. I'd like to thank all my dogs. Sometimes when a man's alone his dogs are all he's got."
Photo: Rex
After being nominated five times without taking home a prize, the Revolutionary Road actress was enjoying every minute of her success. She prefaced a breathless speech at the podium with the warning: "You've no idea how much I'm not wrapping up", a reference to the 45-second acceptance speech limit.
Photo: Getty Images
Slumdog Millionaire was the other big British winner of the night, with three awards including best drama, which was accepted by director Danny Boyle, seen here with the stars of the film, Freida Pinto and Dev Patel
Photo: Rex
The Wrestler star Mickey Rourke, who was recognised as best actor in a drama, celebrates with Bruce Springsteen, the winner of best orginal song for the flick's title track
