Tom Cruise has told how he loves Britain because of the beautiful countryside, friendly locals, great sights and history.
The Hollywood star has shot several movies in the UK, and is filming parts of upcoming spy film Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One here.
He also revealed how he can relax in Britain without being mobbed by fans and autograph hunters, and he particularly likes our cows and sheep.
Cruise, 60, said: "I guess I am an Anglophile. I spend a lot of time in Britain and that's not just for work reasons. I just love being here.
"It's a fantastic blend of old and new. I love seeing the sights, the Tower of London, Nelson's Column, Buckingham Palace and all those fantastic places which are just full of history.
"Britain is trendy, too, and has a lot that other countries then copy. I also love the British countryside.
"Seeing cows and sheep in the fields here is just so very British and just like we see in the movies in America.
"I always wondered whether it is really like that. It's great to go back to the US and say, 'Yes, it really is'."
"It is breathtaking and I found myself wanting to explore more and more.
"That's the reason I have made a few other visits in my own time that have nothing to do with work. Everyone is pleasant and will give you a nod or say hello without crowding you. I was brought up to be well-mannered and you really get that in Britain.
"I also like the fact that I am walking the same streets as Shakespeare, Dickens, and even The Beatles. That is really cool."
This summer, several reports picked up on the fact that Cruise seemed to be constantly out and about in Britain.
He attended the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, a ladies' final at Wimbledon, concerts by Adele and The Rolling Stones in London’s Hyde Park and cheered on his friend Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix in July.
Cruise also celebrated his 60th birthday at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds with some of those within his inner sanctum, including David Beckham, Gordon Ramsay and James Corden.
He shared a red carpet with Prince William and Kate at the London premiere of his film Top Gun: Maverick in May. And he is pals with Phillip Schofield.
Cruise's daughter Isabella, 29, who he adopted during his marriage to Nicole Kidman, lives in London with her British husband, another reason why he visits so often.
He admits filming can be very disruptive for locals due to road closures. But has revealed while shooting his latest movie in Derbyshire, residents "warmly welcomed" the cast and crew.
In an interview with Derbyshire Life magazine, Cruise added: "We found everyone to be so brilliantly helpful… from the local authorities to the people living in the area.
"There is no doubt that when a film crew arrives on location the whole place can be disrupted and I could not blame anyone for complaining.
"However, that didn't happen. We were shooting a scene at a quarry. We had to get a full-size train there so some of the roads were closed, but the local people were just fantastic. I never heard one complaint."
The actor is known for being friendly and helpful on set.
Asked about that, he replied: "I try not to set myself apart from other people. If there is a piece of litter on the floor I hope I will pick it up rather than leave it to someone else.
Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror here .
"We are all part of the team. That’s why I like to arrive early on set and spend some time with the guys behind the cameras. They are just as important as anyone in front of the cameras.
"Being friendly doesn’t cost a bean and I enjoy it. It would surely be a better world with a little more friendliness."
Recent Mission Impossible scenes have also been shot in the Lake District. In August Cruise apologised to Sarah and Jason Haygarth, who had their hike disrupted there when they came across him filming a stunt.
Jason who met him at the top of a ravine, said: "Tom said sorry first for the noise. 'Sorry, guys, I know we spoiled your walk with the noise'. We asked, 'What are you doing?' Then he said, 'I'm going to jump off'."
Cruise has revealed he has ambitions to go into space one day, but is not willing to pay the £22 million cost of such a "holiday". He said: "I went for weightlessness training with NASA. That was fantastic. I'd love to go into space.
"I know that it is possible to go on a holiday trip which costs around £22million, but I couldn't justify that.
"I would like to space travel though. It's true, I fly my own plane, drive around in fast cars, ride motorbikes and do stuff that is a thrill.
"I don't see myself as some kind of daredevil but I do like to do my own stunts in the movies, as much as I am allowed. I guess I just like excitement and pushing back the barriers."
But he may get his cosmos travel wish after NASA confirmed in 2020 he is planning to shoot a movie with businessman Elon Musk on the International Space Station.
In January, sources told Variety that part of the film will be shot there and Universal Pictures were waiting for a script to be delivered.
The full interview is in the October edition of Derbyshire Life, out now.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
