Hugh Grant teased Billy Bob Thornton during 'Love Actually'about his Disraeli phobia By KAREN BUTLER, United Press International (UPI)

NEW YORK, April 26 (UPI) -- British actor Hugh Grant admits to taunting his "Love Actually" co-star Billy Bob Thornton about his phobia of former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

 In the 2003 romantic comedy, Grant played the prime minister of Britain, while Thornton played the president of the United States.

 Grant said he couldn't resist teasing his co-star when he heard Thornton suffered from numerous phobias, including European antique furniture and silverware, as well as images of Disraeli.

 Grant recalled his interaction with Thornton when asked by reporters in New York last week how he felt about the silly, sinister ways Queen Victoria and scientist/writer Charles Darwin are portrayed as characters in his new animated movie, "The Pirates! Band of Misfits."

 "Oh, that was a big plus. I hate those two. I've always hated those two," Grant joked.  


READ MORE:  http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2012/04/26/Grant-teased-Thornton-about-Disraeli-phobia/UPI-23351335464518/

Colin Firth becomes a Freeman in the City of London (BBC NEWS)

Firth said he was 'hugely touched'

Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth has been given the Freedom of the City of London for services to acting.

Firth accepted the honour at the Guildhall by reading the Declaration of a Freeman, which allows him to carry out his trade.

Ahead of the ceremony the actor said: "London is my home and I'm hugely touched and honoured by this gesture."

Author Rudyard Kipling and former prime ministers Benjamin Disraeli and Robert Peel count as former recipients.

The title, thought to have begun in 1237, came with several traditional privileges, such as driving sheep over London Bridge, being drunk and disorderly without fear of arrest, or, if sentenced to death, being hanged with a silken rope.

Read further:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17300320