Sir Anthony Hopkins is a "loner" who "doesn't have many friends".

'The Silence Of The Lambs' star, 86, has admitted he keeps to himself a lot because he enjoys solitude and doesn't actively seek out company, but he insists he's not "antisocial" as he does have a rich family life and keeps himself busy with his work and hobbies.

He told PEOPLE: "I'm very much a loner. I have very few friends. I'm not antisocial. I'm friendly, but I don't seek out [company] ... I do enjoy solitude. I know that sounds morbid but I do enjoy it."

Despite coming across quite serious, Hopkins has shown off his silly side on TikTok with his goofy dance videos, and he has insisted his wife Stella and 20-year-old niece Tara talked him into joining the platform.

He added: "I'm slightly reluctant. I say: 'Oh no, not again.' But I do something silly because we need humour. We need a laugh in life. For good reason I guess, life is tough.The world is a savage place but life does have its beauty."

Hopkins went on to address his own mortality - insisting he knows he's only got a few more years of work left in him, but he's actually in excellent shape.

He explained: "I'm aware of my mortality. To be realistic, I know that if I have a few more years of work left in me, I can do it. I've just had a medical check-up, I'm in good shape."

It comes after the veteran actor celebrates almost five decades since giving up booze as 2024 will mark his 49th year sober.

In a candid post on social media in 2022, Hopkins sent an inspirational message to help others struggling with addiction.

He said: "This is a message not meant to be heavy but helpful. I am a recovering alcoholic, and to you out there, know that there are people struggling in this day and age of cancel and and hatred and non compromise, children being bullied.

"I say to this be kind to yourself, be kind, stay out of the circle of toxicity with people if they offend you, live your life, be proud of your life."

Hopkins went on to admit he almost lost his life in his gruelling battle with alcohol addiction before cleaning up his act in 1975 - and he insisted anyone struggling with similar problems can turn to a life-saving 12-step program.

He went on: "I was in a desperate situation in despair, and probably not long to live, and I just happen to acknowledge one day that there was something really wrong with me. I didn't realise it was a kind of condition, mental, physical, emotional condition ... called addiction.

"I'm not an expert on drugs I'm not an expert on anything. I know nothing, but I've found a life where no one bullies me. I want to say to all those young people being bullied. Take heed. You be proud of yourself. Don't let yourself be put down."