Nicole's on the hunt for a home

Demure in black and keeping a straight back, an upbeat Nicole Kidman swept into London to collect her best actress award at a gala ceremony organised by London Film Critics' Circle.

And with an Oscar nomination already in the bag, she hopes soon to make it a memorable double. Apparently, Ms Kidman is planning to make her visits more regular in future and is looking for her a home.

She told friends that she had spent the last two days incognito looking around west London for her own house. Presently she shares two properties here - in Holland Park and Dulwich - with her former husband Tom Cruise.

One close friend said last night: "Nicole has been here for a couple of days unnoticed - no one even knew she was here. She has been dressing down and ducking in and out of pubs and gigs with some of her friends. She has spent her time looking for a new property for herself in west London to buy outright - as an investment but also as a permanent home to bring up her children."

Last night Ms Kidman said of the possibility of a move: "I love it here in London. You never know - the children are getting a little older now."

Ms Kidman said of her recent Oscar nomination: "I haven't told him [Cruise] yet. I have called my mum who was thrilled and have got a lot of emails from my friends." She added: "I have been kind of overwhelmed by the whole of the last year - life deals you these cards, then just when you think all the chips are down and it's a total nightmare, something like this happens - and you get an Oscar nomination."

Others at the awards last night included Helen Mirren, Ewan McGregor and Bond girls Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike.

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