Kim Cattrall loves public transport.

The 'Sex And The City' actress has returned to her native UK to appear in 'Private Lives', a stage production on London's West End, and admits her favourite thing about leaving the US is the privacy and freedom it brings her.

She said: "I don't take the subway in New York because you become a target for photo opportunities, but I can get round on the London underground and the buses, much to my satisfaction. I love it. Everyone leaves me alone.

"I was once on a bus going through Camden Town when the driver stopped to remove a rowdy, drunk young man. I thought that was very fine, I felt very protected. I don't know if that would happen in New York."

The 53-year-old star - who traced her ancestors last year on UK TV show 'Who Do You Think You Are?' - also revealed she feels strong ties to her Liverpool-born mother's family because of her favourite drink.

She explained to You magazine: "I come from a long line of strong Scouse women. It is not just an accent, it's almost a constitution - held together by tea. Growing up, I remember there was always a pot on the back burner, and during the filming of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' the bonding always seemed to happen over a cup of tea."