James McAvoy considered a career in the navy before becoming an actor.

The 'Filth' star has had a phenomenal on-screen career, but admits before he decided on life as a thespian he considered sailing the seas with the British Navy.

In an interview with UK radio station Magic on Neil Fox's breakfast show, he said: ''I considered joining the navy at one point, it was either the navy or drama school. But luckily I got into drama school, I only applied for one and thankfully I got in ... otherwise I would not be sitting here! I never really considered being an actor ... until I was working as an actor strangely enough.''

Although James is very proud of his career and loves his job, he admits there are some extra-curricular activities that go with his profession that he doesn't enjoy.

In particular, the 34-year-old Scottish actor - who is married to 'Nowhere Boy' actress Anne-Marie Duff - doesn't like to have to work out for his roles, although he has started to enjoy the gym slightly more in recent months.

He said: ''I don't like working out for films, I generally kind of get really annoyed with it. Although, for the last couple of months I've been going to the gym and liking it ... oh my gosh, shock horror for me!''