Ray Winstone was "out of control" during his time at drama school.

He explained: "I had a ball. I didn't learn much about acting, but I knew how to conduct myself with all people from all over the place - different genders, different cultures. We had some great parties as well. And there were a couple of teachers who looked after me and tried their best with me.

"I think I was a little bit out of control, in a world that I felt I had no place in. I didn't particularly want to be an actor. I was asked to leave and I was gonna make my way in the world - doing that, I don't know."

Despite his shaky start, Winstone - who was born and raised in London - has gone on to star in Hollywood blockbusters such as 'Noah' and 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' but has admitted he prefers making smaller budget films in his native Britain.

He told ShortList magazine: "I love working at home. It just seems to work that way. It's the quickness of working. There's no time to relax. You're on it and you're in the mindset the whole time. When you make a big-budget studio film, there's so much baggage.

"The actual film is the pleasure; you get paid for the waiting time. And by the time you come to do your bit, you're usually knackered. Sometimes you're ready to go at half past eight in the morning and two days later you're still waiting. I like to get to set and be all pumped up and ready to go."