Keira Knightley backs former movie husband to win Oscar gold

Keira Knightley has thrown her support behind former movie husband Chiwetel Ejiofor as he battles the likes of Matthew Mcconaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio for Oscar glory as Best Actor.

The actress, who played Ejiofor's onscreen wife in Love Actually, is hoping her pal wins the Academy Award for his performance in 12 Years A Slave, even though McConaughey appears to be the hot favourite for his portrayal of an AIDS victim in Dallas Buyers Club.

Knightley says, "Chiwetel is such a phenomenal actor. He is one of the actor's actors, so I think it is wonderful that he is getting the recognition that he's deserved for such a long time."