This week Jonathan Ross welcomes Colin Farrell to his BBC One show, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.

Colin Farrell says he was serious about seducing Dame Eileen Atkins: “The one that got away! I gave it all that I was worth. She’s an incredibly attractive woman, wicked.

“I fell at the first hurdle, my ego couldn’t take any more refusals.

“I saw her in New York and said our time will come… it’s unfinished business!”

He says that drink nearly killed him.

“I’d been drinking since I was 14. I was pretty sick. At the beginning [of recovery] I found it really hard.

“For me there was no choice… it was tough but I was dying.

“I was struggling not to have a complete meltdown… I was just gone.

“I’m glad I’m out of that cycle, I’m very lucky.”

Jonathan also talks to Strictly Come Dancing – It Takes Two presenter Claudia Winkleman and legendary Bond Sir Roger Moore.

And, there’s music from The Kills.

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, 10.35 pm, Friday 10 October 2008, BBC One