ANTHONY HOPKINS - HOPKINS: ACTING ABOUT CELEBRITY

Beowulf star Sir Anthony Hopkins has said he believes modern-day acting is dominated by the cult of celebrity.

Speaking on BBC1's Tonight with Jonathan Ross programme set for broadcast this evening, Sir Anthony described himself as a "hermit" far separated from the life of young actors on the Hollywood scene.

"There are some wonderful actors around, I think it's all about celebrity now," he said.

"Fashion, girls, youth - it's much faster, a little bit overwhelming."

Despite admitting that "I don't know any actors", Sir Anthony said his distance from the rest of the acting world was far preferable to him.

"I don't ever feel like part of the acting business, which is liberating because I don't get caught up in it. Young actors ask me today how to succeed, I say I don't know, there's a lot of luck," he said.

Perhaps having an Oscar for his role as Hannibal Lecter in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs helps in this.

"I'm getting more choosy now, I'm enjoying it more now than I've ever done," he adds.

"I think I'm still around, and they still want me, so that's OK. I live my life and don't think about acting at all, it doesn't preoccupy me any more."