'My life has changed massively!': James McAvoy reveals impact of split from Anne-Marie Duff... as he admits to cutting down on whisky because it makes him 'fighty and leery'

By Dan Cain For Mailonline

Published: 04:00 EST, 12 January 2017 | Updated: 08:45 EST, 12 January 2017

James McAvoy says his 'life has changed massively' since amicably splitting from his wife Anne-Marie Duff last May.

The couple, who share six-year-old son Brendan, initially continued living together following their separation, but now James has his own place close to the family home in Crouch End.

James, 37, told Mr Porter magazine: 'My life has changed massively. At the same time, so much has stayed the same.

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New chapter: James McAvoy says his 'life has changed massively' since amicably splitting from his wife Anne-Marie Duff last May

'One of the things that’s stayed the same is that I still don’t talk about my personal life, really. Me and Anne-Marie, when we were together, it was our policy not to speak about each other in public. 

'We rarely broke that and if we did, it was for tiny things – "Yes, we are cooking turkey this Christmas" – and that policy still stands. Even separated, we’re still respectful of each other and committed to doing that publicly and personally.

'But yeah, things are really good. Which is a rubbish, pat answer.'

Amicable: The couple, who share six-year-old son Brendan, initially continued living together following their split but now James has his own place close to the family home in Crouch End

Boozy: The actor, who made his name alongside Anne-Marie in Channel 4's Shameless, has cut down on the amount of whisky he drinks as he doesn't like how his favourite tipple affects him

The actor, who made his name alongside Anne-Marie in Channel 4's Shameless, has cut down on the amount of whisky he drinks as he doesn't like how his favourite tipple affects him.

He confessed: 'That used to be my drink – a peaty Talisker, or a Laphroaig. But I find that I can’t drink too much whisky any more. More than one or two now and I get a bit leery, a wee bit fighty, a bit chippy, looking for an argument. And I didn’t like that. So I mostly stopped drinking it. My problem is, if I have it in the house, I’ll tan the lot.

'I’m a consumer. If it’s in front of me, I’ll f***ing do it. I’ll consume it. I’ll take it, whatever it is. I’ll have a go… And I don’t know what that is. I still drink, and sometimes have a lot of drink. But I just don’t want to have alcohol in the house any more.'

Grounded: The star has managed to maintain a down-to-earth attitude despite becoming a major industry star in the last two decades

Down-to-earth: He claims to have spent only '10 or 11 weeks' in Hollywood over the course of his career to date and is incredibly selective in the roles he chooses

Behind every great man... James explained how he was close to rejecting a lucrative deal for a Prada campaign, before Anne-Marie made him see sense.

The star has managed to maintain a down-to-earth attitude despite becoming a major industry star in the last two decades.

He claims to have spent only '10 or 11 weeks' in Hollywood over the course of his career to date and is incredibly selective in the roles he chooses.

James explained how he was close to rejecting a lucrative deal for a Prada campaign, before Anne-Marie made him see sense.

Hunky: The X-Men actor had to beef up for his role in M Night Shyamalan's thriller Split, in which he plays a man with dissociative identity disorder

Committed: Taking a natural approach to bulking, he revealed a simple Google search led him to a 5x5 power-lifting plan which saw him do five different exercises four or five times a week

On the promo trail: James attended a photocall for the film in Milan on Wednesday

He said: 'The money was incredible. And Anne-Marie kept saying to me, "Are you gonna turn that down?" "Yeah I’m gonna turn that down. I’m not a salesman." "You’re being a dick. Do something with it. Give it to charity." 

'And I was like, "Ding!" About four minutes after she said that to me I was on the phone to the agent. "Yeah, I’ll do it."'

The X-Men actor had to beef up for his role in M Night Shyamalan's thriller Split, in which he plays a man with dissociative identity disorder. 

Strike a pose: James appeared in casual mode in black jeans and rather battered brown shoes 

Taking direction: M. Night Shyamalan, Anya Taylor-Joy and James took part in a photocall 

Taking a natural approach to bulking, he revealed a simple Google search led him to a 5x5 power-lifting plan which saw him do five different exercises four or five times a week.

'It’s super-simple, but it works every muscle,' said James. 'And I’d eat 5,000, 6,000 calories a day. Instead of eating two eggs in the morning, I’d eat eight. Then a snack of chicken breast. Then two chicken breasts for lunch, and then a steak for another snack. Then two salmon steaks for dinner.

'So, in a relatively short space of time I got relatively bigger. I wasn’t huge, but I was quite chuffed with myself.'

Looking good: The star cut a handsome figure in his photoshoot for the feature

Stylish: James popped the collar of his shearling jacket for a black and white snap

 

 

 

 

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