Hollywood star Denzel Washington said his Oscar nomination was a “thrill” as he premiered his new film Flight.

I’ve been down this road six times before

The 58-year-old – who has won twice for his roles in 2001’s Training Day and 1989’s Glory – is up for best actor in this year’s ceremony alongside Daniel Day-Lewis, Bradley Cooper, Hugh Jackman and Joaquin Phoenix, for his performance as substance-addicted pilot Whip Whitaker in the Robert Zemeckis drama.

“It feels good to be recognised and to be honoured is a thrill. It is very difficult to get into those five slots,” he said outside London’s Empire Cinema.

But Washington, who has been nominated for an Academy Award six times altogether, said he has not considered the prospect of a hat-trick.

“I’ve been down this road six times before,” he added.

Actress Kelly Reilly, his British co-star, said he is “deserving” of his nomination. Braving the freezing temperatures in a red strapless Antonio Berardi gown, she said: “It’s phenomenal to work with someone like Denzel.

“It’s a bit of an honour to work with someone of that calibre,” she said.

“He’s like an acting animal. It’s nice to wrestle some of these scenes out with someone so brilliant. It upped my game.”

Don Cheadle, John Goodman and Bruce Greenwood also star in Flight, which opens in cinemas on February 1.