Christopher Plummer was the first of the winners at the Golden Globes on Sunday as he was honoured with the Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture prize for his role in Beginners.

Plummer played a widowed septuagenarian who comes out to his son and enjoys a new lease of life in his final days.

He beat a high-quality roll call of nominees, including British Kenneth Branagh for My Week With Marilyn.

The movie veteran honoured his "distinguished competitors" during his acceptance speech at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles and saluted his "wilt Scot" co-star Ewan McGregor.

He joked, "He's a scene-stealing swine from the Outer Hebrides."

When Ewan McGregor later presented an award, he paused to congratulate Plummer on his win: “well done Pops.”

Plummer also paid tribute to his wife of 43 years, stating that her bravery and beauty "haunts me still".

Click here for a list of all the winners at this year's Golden Globes