Colin Farrell loves going to the gym.

The reformed hellraiser used to hate exercise but since quitting alcohol three years ago he now enjoys working out.

He said: "I actually like the gym. I find peace in it. Which is f***ing weird. I never thought that would be me. I see these quotes, 'Working out for me is lifting a Carlsberg.' It was true at the time. Things have changed."

Colin, 35, has also revealed his two sons - seven-year-old James, who suffers from Angelman syndrome, a neuro-developmental disorder which means he cannot speak, and 22-month-old Henry - have given him a clearer focus in his life and made him find a better balance between his work and family.

In an interview with the USA Today newspaper, he said: "I'm pretty clear on why I go to work now. I understand and have a respect for being away that I didn't have for the first five, six, seven years. With two boys as well, I have a respect for missing people that are in my life, a respect for being away from my kids.

"I went for seven years working back to back to back to back. That became my life. That's not the way it is now. I have more balance in regards to choosing things."