IT'S either a tantalising glimpse of glory to come or a cruel and meaningless computer error.

For just a few hours yesterday morning, Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway appeared on the Golden Globes website as the runaway winner of the Best Actress category - a full 72 hours before tomorrow night's ceremony.

Ms Hathaway, the 26-year-old star of Rachel Getting Married, appeared on the official site's nomination list with a golden asterisk next to her name. The symbol is supposed to denote the winner once the presentations take place in Los Angeles tomorrow night.

Despite site supervisors removing the marker after a short period of time, bookmakers drastically slashed the odds on the young star triumphing. Ms Hathaway had been hovering around the 3/1 mark for much of the last month, but at one point yesterday morning online betting shops were offering a near-certain price of 1/100.

Ms Hathaway faces competition from UK actresses Kristin Scott Thomas and Kate Winslet, as well as American stars Meryl Streep and Angelina Jolie.