He may have won an Oscar and been nominated for three more over the years, but Sir Anthony Hopkins by his own admission is not one for the red carpet or awards shows.

“I’m a bit of a recluse as far as the acting business is concerned,” says the white-haired Welshman in those precise, lilting tones.

“I have very few friends that are actors but I enjoy watching them, I admire them and I’ll write fan letters to the ones I really admire. That’s what I do, I keep life simple.”

When he’s not filming his latest role, these days the 73-year-old Silence Of The Lambs star would far rather be at home in Malibu, painting or composing. He has a concert this year.

“I’ve always composed, I’ve played the piano ever since I was about I was six. I play every day because I like to keep my brain active.

“As for acting, I still enjoy it, it keeps me off the streets, it keeps me out of bars,” he jokes, eyes twinkling.

Having battled with alcoholism in his youth, Hopkins today is the picture of health: sprightly and fit. He’s shed pounds in the past year through watching what he eats and power walking. “I feel 45,” he says.

It’s due in part to the influence of his third wife, Colombian-born Stella, who he met at her antiques store in Los Angeles.

Nearly 20 years his junior, and effortlessly glamorous, she sneaks into the interview room to watch proceedings.

“Stella started me painting,” he says proudly. “I did sketches in marker pen and she said, ‘You ought to do some paintings’, so for our wedding day she made me paint 75 paintings which we gave out to the guests.”

It’s surprising he has time left to act, but Hopkins insists he has no plans to retire.

“I’m just grateful to still be working. As long as they keep on giving me the parts until I lose my memory, which I’m not going to do because I keep it fresh.”