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Hate Actually

Love Actually’s Bill Nighy admits he ‘hated’ acting for years

The 68-year-old actor says he considered quitting the acting scene for years as he didn't enjoy it, but couldn't think of anything else to do

BILL Nighy says he has often considered quitting acting because he “just hated it” for years.

The Love Actually star, 68, said: “I thought of quitting, if not daily, then weekly. I was so unhappy — I just hated it.

 Bill Night starred in the 2003 modern Christmas classic Love Actually
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Bill Night starred in the 2003 modern Christmas classic Love ActuallyCredit: Rex Features
 Bill Nighy has also starred in About Time, Shaun of the Dead and the Harry Potter franchise
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Bill Nighy has also starred in About Time, Shaun of the Dead and the Harry Potter franchiseCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Nighy said acting provides "a degree of satisfaction" but admits he doesn't enjoy the process
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Nighy said acting provides "a degree of satisfaction" but admits he doesn't enjoy the processCredit: Getty - Contributor

“It’s not unpleasant all the time, and you work with great people and I am proud of some of the things I’ve done.

“You get a degree of satisfaction when it’s over, but the actual process is never satisfactory.”

He kept going because he “couldn’t think of anything else to do”.

He said: “I flunked school — not that that would prevent you from doing anything in life, but I didn’t have any other ideas.”

Nighy also told Radio Times he avoids watching himself on screen, saying it’s “bloody awful”.