Jude Law finds it "rather moving" that 'The Holiday' has become a Christmas classic

Asked if he had any sense that 'The Holiday' - which also stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black and was directed by Nancy Meyers - would become a beloved Christmas classic, he told the Observer New Review: "No, it leaves me speechless but I find it rather moving. I mean, it really was just another job.

"It was a very jolly one, we had fun making it, and I knew that I was in the hands of someone who knew how to pull something like that off.

"Then, yes, wave after wave of revisiting started to happen. You can't plan for it but how delightful, in truth."

And Jude "feels guilty" when fans ask him about the idyllic country cottage featured in the film because it never actually existed.

He confessed: "The interiors were in a Los Angeles studio. Because of this devotion, I actually feel guilty telling people, dismantling the dream... Listen, it's real in the movie, that's all that's important."

Meanwhile, The 'Order' star insisted he isn't worried about the physical signs of ageing, though he thinks it is still "much harder" for women in the industry.

He said: "I'm very happy ageing. There is a physical aspect to the job, but equally the business is about how you're perceived. Are you perceived as a person who can become someone else, who's expected to change, or are you perceived as the person you are?

"If you're successful for looking a certain way, that's where there's a bit more pressure.

"It's still much harder for women, and I think we could do a lot more to rebalance that."