British actor Jeremy Irons blames English etiquette for his failed first marriage, insisting he only went through with the ceremony because he didn't want to "appear rude".

The CASANOVA star, 57, married Julie Hallam in 1969 but had the union annulled later the same year. He is now celebrating his 28th year of marriage to Sinead Cusack.

Of Hallam he says, "Oh, she was lovely but we shouldn't have got married. I think I was trying to please her mother.

"I got married because I didn't want to appear rude."