wife
Italian Livia Guigglioli, a documentary-maker whom Colin met in 1996 while filming Nostromo for the BBC. Six-feet-one-inch tall Colin has a reputation for forming relationships on set: he met first wife Meg Tilly, while co-starring in the film Valmont, and later had a liaison with Jennifer EhIe, who played opposite him in BBC1's Pride and Prejudice. "It's quite extraordinary that people regard me as if I'm Warren Beatty," he says. "Until I met my present wife, at the age of 35, I'd only had two girlfriends."

the ex-wife
American actress, Meg Tilly, whom Colin met in 1989 on the film set. They lived together for five years in British Columbia and have a son, nine-year-old William, who now lives in Los Angeles with his mother.

his roots
Born in Africa, where his mum and dad were both teachers. Colin came to Britain when he was four and attended school in Winchester. Three out of four of his grandparents were Methodist missionaries. His brother is the actor Jonathan Firth.

home life
Colin and Livia live in a big Georgian house in Barnsbury, North London. Although he commutes back and forth to LA to see his son. "I like the multiculturalism of London," he says.

favourite haunts
Enjoys the pubs and restaurants of lslington - especially Granita - and the private members club, Soho House, in central London.

how he relaxes
Supporting Arsenal FC, his favourite football team. If he's not cheering them on at Highbury, Colin, who played the soccer-mad hero in the film of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch, might well be at Hornby's house watching Arsenal matches on TV.

starsign
Virgo

actors he admires
"I think Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic; I think he's got incredible skill in front of the camera. I also think Joaquin Phoenix - River's brother- is absolutely brilliant."

darcy-mania
Claims he doesn't understand the fuss about his portrayal of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. As for the famous scene when Darcy strips off and dives into the water - that was filmed in a steel tank, and Colin hit his nose leaving it bloddy and swollen. [Article courtesy of Jennie]