Sir Anthony Hopkins has said that his "lifetime is running out" in a rare television interview. The 88-year-old Hollywood legend, originally from Port Talbot in Wales, spoke candidly about his mortality and his heritage as an intensely proud Welshman.
Anthony said that "there's no time" to move back from America, which has been his home for over 50 years. ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar chatted to the Academy Award-winning actor following the recent signing of his debut record deal at 88 and the release of an album featuring music he's been working on for six decades.
No time to return to Wales
In the conversation, which is set to air on ITV News on Friday 21 August, Nina asked him: "Is there any part of you that wishes that you were still living in Wales?" as he frankly responded: "I haven't been there for two years, but I love going back there. I love going back to the streets. I haven't done that for about two, three years now, but I do like it. I love it, but there's no time, really."
"Lifetime is running out, but I do love it and going back to Port Talbot and Margam, I wish I could just get out and walk around a bit but I'm getting a bit too old for that walking around."
Exploring memories through Google Maps
Hopkins, who gained US citizenship in 2000, was also questioned about whether Wales crosses his mind frequently, to which he replied: "All the time. All the time," reports the Express.
Anthony said he uses Google Maps' Street View to explore the places where he spent his younger years: "You can Google things, don't you? I go to streets and I move up the street. The photographs of my streets in Wales or anywhere, really, but I'm always going back there. I would say every year, most days, I'm back there. Somehow the memories are very powerful."
Debut album release
Decca Classics recently launched his album Life Is A Dream, which reconnects with his Welsh roots, his parents, the neighbourhood streets of his youth and the Port Talbot cinema where his passion for film first began.
He admitted he never envisioned securing his debut recording contract at this point in his career: "Living the life of total non expectation, that's when the surprises happen. If you expect too much, nothing really happens."
The full interview can be seen on ITV News YouTube channel with an extended edit on ITV Evening News at 6:30pm on Friday 12 August.
