Peter O'Toole is less than delighted about the honorary Oscar he is due to receive at this year's ceremony. The actor, who has been nominated for an Oscar on seven occasions - for films as diverse as Lawrence of Arabia and The Stunt Man - but has never won, is apparently still keen to win an award the normal way.
Variety reports that the septuagenarian actor has sent a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, asking them to hold off with the award "until I am 80" as he is "still in the game and might win the lovely bugger outright".
However, Frank Pierson, the president of the academy said: "The award is for achievement and contribution to the art of the motion picture, not for retirement." It is hoped that O'Toole will yet be persuaded to pick up his award at the March 23 ceremony but, if not, Pierson has said it, "will be at the Academy for you to pick up when you're 80 or whenever you're ready."
The star has a number of movies lined up, most notably Stephen Fry's directorial debut, an adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Bright Young Things.
