Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd is terrified of dying young, because he's convinced he's friends will try to steal his girlfriend.

The HORNBLOWER star is dating Alice Evans, his stunning 102 DALMATIONS co-star - and doesn't trust his pals back home in Wales not to try it on.

He says, "Alice is gorgeous and I wouldn't put it past the Welsh b**tards.

"I would hope they'd wait until the third pint at the wake before they'd have a go."

05/07/2005 05:20