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With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
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The modest heart-throb: Atonement star James McAvoy's tiny flat and £1,000 Nissan Micra
Last updated at 14:58pm on 21.01.08If British actor James McAvoy wins the best actor BAFTA for which he has been nominated, there are likely to be few guests gracing any after-awards party he throws at his home.
For while other nominees, including George Clooney and Daniel Day-Lewis, may live the Hollywood-star lifestyle to the full, the 28-year-old Scot and his actress wife Anne-Marie Duff lead a more humble existence – from a tiny, second-floor flat in Stroud Green, a far-from-fashionable area of North London.
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Not quite a Bentley: James McAvoy and his wife Anne-Marie Duff drive a much less showy Nissan Micra instead
McAvoy, nominated for his portrayal of Scottish soldier Robbie Turner in Atonement, chooses to live there despite reportedly earning millions from his appearances in The Last King Of Scotland, The Chronicles Of Narnia and the forthcoming Wanted opposite Angelina Jolie.
His wife, 37, who starred with him in the Channel 4 drama Shameless, bought the apartment before they married in 2006 for £178,000.
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Discreet digs: McAvoy's second floor flat in Stroud Green, North London, cost just £178,000
Neither has McAvoy been squandering his money on fast cars.
As our exclusive pictures show, he and his wife drive a ten-year-old Nissan Micra worth less than £1,000.
A neighbour said: "I imagine they must be quite wealthy but you would never guess it."
The couple shop in their local Budgens supermarket.
Glasgow-raised McAvoy, who has been short-listed for a major acting award every year since 2004, has been reported as saying: "I'd rather be who I am and do what I do without seeking any attention.
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Humble: The Atonement star and Duff prefer the simple life
"I'd prefer to have a nice meal with friends than stand around awkwardly at some glamorous party where no one actually knows anyone.
"It's just not what I aspire to do."
Rare red carpet moment: McAvoy and Atonement co-star Keira Knightley are BAFTA nominated
Reader views (6)
It's a great shame that all Glasgow-raised men aren't more like him - the one's I used to know are money-driven, flashy fools.
- Beth, London
"Stroud Green, far from fashionable area of North London."
Stroud Green is home to a rising number of stars and fashionable creative types who make it fashionable, but equally couldn't give two hoots what the likes of the Standard think of it. Actually, once the ES starts declaring the area's desirability it'll be all over...
- Stroud And Proud, Stroud Green, London, UK
Refreshing that not everyone tries to be one of the herd.
- Jo, London
Re: S McDuck's comments,
Yes you are right - You can always rely on folk from Glasgow not to forget where they come from or to lower their standards to become pretentious, 'I am the be all and end all' southerner type!
Well done James and Anne-Marie for keeping it real!
ps I am English but find your comments most offensive.
- Linda Beecroft, Uddingston, Glasgow
"Glasgow-raised McAvoy"
I think that says it all really.
- S Mcduck, London
And good for them!
- Kasia, Chojnice,Poland
