YORK-BORN star Dame Judi Dench is hotly tipped to receive another Oscar - for a film that has not even been released yet.

Dame Judi, who won an Academy Award for an eight-minute appearance in Shakespeare In Love, is a favourite for another gong for her role as novelist Dame Iris Murdoch in Iris.

Hollywood is reportedly buzzing over the new film, which shows Dame Iris battling with Alzheimer's Disease.

But Dame Judi has condemned suggestions that the death of her husband, Michael Williams, influenced her performance.

Several U.S. newspapers claimed after a preview screening that her grief was visible in her portrayal of the author's illness.

But in an interview, Dame Judi said: "I did not relate it to what I had been through. I am an intensely private person."

Iris has already earned the actress a Golden Globe nomination, and it is also rumoured she may be nominated for another Oscar for the soon-to-be-released Shipping News.

Dame Judi earned nominations for Mrs Brown and Chocolat, but missed out both times.

Entertainment journalist Hugh Davies said: "There is a feeling that she will get nominated every year for something, but in this case, the studios have done their best to get her a nomination.

"They rushed out this preview screening in New York, just so that the press and panellists could see it before the nominations are announced. The word is, it's remarkable."

Iris is set for a Stateside release next week, and will open in Britain later this month. The Oscar nominations will be announced on February 12.

* Dame Judi is due to visit York later this year, to be made an Honorary Freeman of the City.

Updated: 10:30 Thursday, January 03, 2002