The “The Edge of Love” actress is concerned her work keeps her away from Rupert Friend – who she has been dating for four years – and wants to find a better balance.

She said: “It’s hard to have a relationship when you’re working so much. But then you have to think, ‘What is actually important in life? Is career your only thing?’”

“If it is, then it’s easy, but if it isn’t that’s sad, because there’s going to come a day when you’re left lonely. It’s a difficult balance.”

However, the British star admits she struggles to switch off from work to focus more on her personal life.

She added to Australia’s Marie Claire magazine: “I think you’ve got to strive for balance. It’s the striving that counts.”

“If you’re someone like me, who has always been very driven, to suddenly step back and decide, ‘Well, love is the only thing,’ then you need to build up your relationships.”

Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller have set up a ”nerdy” book club.

The two actresses – who became friends when they starred in Dylan Thomas biopic “The Edge of Love” – prefer to stay in and enjoy quiet hobbies rather than hit the showbiz party scene.

Sienna revealed: “We swap books. I went to Keira’s house for dinner and we talked about books and swapped some. We play cards and do newspaper crosswords together.”

“She’s learning the flute at the moment and I’m learning the piano. I mean we are really quite nerdy.”

Despite happily confessing to their love of unglamorous pastimes, Sienna is worried about how Keira will react to her letting their secret slip.

She said: “Oh god, she’s going to kill me now. She’s not a nerd. I can be. No one will believe it anyway.”

As well as sharing a mutual love of sedate activities, 24-year-old Keira and Sienna, 27, also live their lives by a common rule – ignore what your critics are saying.

Sienna explained: “We keep ourselves afloat if things happen in the media that are hard to deal with, or the awful temptation to Google yourself comes up, and just being mortified about what people write about you.”

“She’ll phone me up and say, ‘I’m thinking about doing it,’ and I’m like, ‘I am too… don’t do it, don’t do it!’”

“And we’ll kind of talk each other out of it. It’s hard sometimes to not want to know what people are saying behind your back and to ignore certain things that are being written.”

Keira Knightley has been playing agony aunt to heartbroken actor Colin Farrell.

Keira, who is to star opposite Colin in forthcoming film “London Boulevard,” has recently been consoling Colin following his split from novelist Emma Forrest.

Former hellraiser Colin, 32, is said to be distraught after he was dumped by Emma following a year-long relationship and has turned to Keira, who he had been in touch with regarding their roles.

A source said: “Keira thought it would be helpful to speak to Colin about their parts but she has been trying to support him through girlfriend troubles.”

“She says it has helped her understand the man she is going to play opposite and is delighted to have connected with him so well.”

Keira, 23, is going through a tough time herself because she has hardly seen her boyfriend, actor Rupert Friend.

The source added to Britain’s Daily Express newspaper: “Keira can’t wait to start shooting as she has put in so much preparation for the part.”

“She has felt lonely without much time with Rupert over the past few months as he has been busy promoting his new film ‘Young Victoria’ and – like Colin – can’t wait to absorb herself in the project.”

“London Boulevard,” which loosely follows the plot of 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard,” will see Colin playing an ex-convict who falls in love with Keira’s reclusive actress character.

Shooting on the film starts next month.

Keira Knightley has a 23-and-a-half-inch waist.

Justine Gale – who was a body double for the actress on the set of her new movie “The Duchess” – has revealed the extent of the actress’ tiny body.

Justine – who has the same measurements as Keira and tried on all the outfits before scenes – said: “When pulling in my corset, all measurements were checked.”

“I was most thankful for that on the day a new wardrobe assistant mistakenly pulled me into a 22-and-a-half-inch waist.”

“Ouch! I’m sure Keira felt the same… and thankfully I was ‘let out’ an inch.”

“Anyway, any pain was worth it to be able to wear the unbelievably beautiful dresses, some of which were fitted on me just hours before they were worn by Keira and shot on screen.”

Keira admits she had some difficulties squeezing into all the restrictive costumes for her role in the period drama.

She explained: “I had quite a few different corsets, and it was really weird because they were all obviously made to measure for me, but some of them I could breathe in, and some of them I absolutely couldn’t… and it was a complete nightmare!”

Keira isn’t the only celebrity to have a tiny waist.

Kylie Minogue was reported to have a 16-inch waist corset when she went on tour in 2005, while Victoria Beckham is said to have a 23-inch waist.

Keira Knightley is unsure what direction to take her career in.

The “The Duchess” star – who shot to fame in 2002 movie “Bend It Like Beckham” and has since starred in a host of acclaimed films, including “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Pride and Prejudice” – doesn’t know which role to take on next.

She said: “I haven’t quite found what I’m looking for yet. What I’m not capable of doing is, ‘For my career, I should be doing this right now.’”

“I can’t do that because I can’t try and be interested in something that I’m not. It has to be about something that I do actually want to talk about.”

“It can be really embarrassing and depressing and very cynical if you sit there and go, ‘Well, I got a really big pay check.’”

Despite being associated with Hollywood blockbusters, Keira also revealed her favorite film of recent times is a little-known independent movie about an aspiring restaurateur.

She added to USA Today newspaper: “There’s an amazing film called ‘Couscous (La Graine et le mulet)’ — so beautiful, about a guy who’s trying to open a couscous restaurant.”

“I sat in the cinema crying and crying and crying. I want to phone the guy up and say thank you. Film can be so magic.”

Keira Knightley has no intention of starring in a new ”Pirates of the Caribbean” movie.

The 23-year-old actress – who has played Elizabeth Swann in three films in the Disney franchise – admits even if producers ask her to reprise her role alongside Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom for a fourth film, she would turn them down.

When asked if she would ever consider doing another “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, Keira told US TV show “Access Hollywood”: “I think it was wonderful and an amazing opportunity and those films were just extraordinary and I was extremely lucky to be a part of them. But no. I think my pirating days may be over.”

Keira starred in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in 2003, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” in 2006 and 2007’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”

The brunette beauty can currently be seen starring alongside Ralph Fiennes in new period drama “The Duchess,” in which she plays Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire.

Keira recently revealed she was “honored” to star in the movie. She said: “It was so incredible to actually be given this role. It was so incredible.”

“There are relatively few leading roles for women, so to actually have one land on your doorstep was fantastic.”

“The fact that people are now liking it is so exciting, so I don’t think you can ask for anything more than that.”

Keira Knightley would ‘’s**t herself” if she won an Oscar.The Duchess” actress, who has been tipped for Academy Award glory next year for her role in the period drama, is terrified at the thought of accepting the accolade if she does triumph.

She said: “I would probably s**t myself if I had to give a speech.”

Keira also revealed she was worried about accepting the role of Georgiana Spencer in “The Duchess” in case people didn’t take her seriously and she felt like a “w***er” wearing a wig.

The 23-year-old star added: “There is always an element of fear that you are not going to be able to make people believe in the fiction, that suddenly you are going to be standing there in your dress and wig, and feel like a complete w***er. Which is not particularly helpful.”

English actress Keira Knightley has been named as the lady with the best stomach.

The survey taken by 2000 Britons has put her before her Edge Of Love co-star Sienna Miller.

Next to The Atonement star was 63-year-old Helen Mirren, who beat Miller following the release of photographs showing the National Treasure actress in a stunning bikini.

Then Mirren was followed by pop-princess Rihanna, whose dance moves seem to have definitely paid off.

Keira has battled various reports that she suffers from an eating disorder, denying the claims and adding that anorexia runs in her family.

Keira Knightley had to have a specially-made headrest on her new movie – because her wig was so heavy.

The 23-year-old actress – who had to wear a Marie Antoinette-style headpiece for her portrayal of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, in “The Duchess” – was left in pain every day because her slender frame couldn’t support the weight.

Keira’s co-star Hayley Atwell revealed: “I loved filming ‘The Duchess’ – Keira has a great sense of humor.”

“She used to wear this huge wig that was so heavy they made her a board that she could lean her shoulders and head against it between takes so she didn’t topple over or get neck ache. It was funny.”

Keira’s character in the 18th century drama is an ancestor of the late Princess Diana.

Georgiana was a member of the Spencer family who married into the famous aristocratic Devonshire family.

She was a socialite who caused a scandal among her circle of friends – including prominent political and literary figures – when she had an affair with Charles Grey, who later became British Prime Minister.

Keira Knightley has no problem going nude in front of the camera.

The 23-year-old actress was happy to whip her bra off during a sex scene with Cillian Murphy in “The Edge of Love.”

She said: “It was very simple. It was a sex scene and I never like them when they’ve got bras on. So when asked I said, ‘alright then.’”

This isn’t the first time Keira has stripped off in a movie. The British star previously filmed steamy scenes for “Domino” and “Atonement.”

While the actress is happy to bare her flesh on the big screen, she is terrified of singing in front of the cameras.

Keira, who has previously spoken about her reluctance to sing in “The Edge of Love,” is set to receive singing lessons for the role of Eliza Doolittle in the remake of “My Fair Lady.”

The actress is determined her vocal abilities will be in tip-top shape when she belts out the movie’s classic songs, including “The Rain In Spain” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?.’”

“My Fair Lady” is due to start shooting in 2010.

Keira Knightleys mother has slammed reports that her daughter has anorexia – an eating disorder.

Sharman Macdonaldhas accused playground bullies for persistent rumours about her the 23-year-olds waif-like figure.

Macdonald, a playwright, said that her daughter has a genetic predisposition not to put on weight, inherited from her father.

She said Knightley, best known for her roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, has been forced to adopt a diet high in protein and carbohydrates to make sure that she does not become too thin.

Like the actress father, Will Knightley, a theatre actor, she must eat like a horse to maintain a healthy body weight.

She has always been thin. Shes her daddys daughter, with his long body, Times Online quoted Macdonald, as saying.

Macdonald revealed that the actress had been put on a tailored diet to bulk up for her role as Guinevere in the 2004 film King Arthur.

However, she had been forced to abandon it because she was eating less than normal and was losing weight.

Knightley remained stick-thin, and her bust was digitally enhanced for American posters advertising the film.

While the Oscar-nominated actress has admitted that her grandmother and great-grandmother suffered from anorexia, she says she has not inherited it.

Macdonald said that the false accusations are distressing but felt helpless to stop them.

Its a playground situation that were looking at with the press its a form of bullying but what can we do? she said.

Coleen McLoughlin, the fiancee of England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney, has been named as Britain’s number one fashion role model.

While Carla Bruni-Sarkozy may be wowing the country during her husband’s state visit here as French president, 21-year-old McLoughlin was preferred by readers of weekly style magazine Look.

McLoughlin beat supermodel Kate Moss, actress Sienna Miller and David Beckham’s wife Victoria to the top spot, while Australian singer Kylie Minogue only made it into sixth place.

“Coleen has transformed herself from puffa jacket schoolgirl to style icon in just a few years,” said Look editor Ali Hall. “Women relate to her as she’s more shapely than your average Wag,” or footballer’s wife and girlfriend.

The British press splashed pictures of 40-year-old Carla Bruni-Sarkozy over its front pages on Thursday, after she arrived Wednesday for a two-day state visit with her husband Nicolas Sarkozy.

Here are the top 10 style role models, as chosen in a poll of 1,200 women aged 15-45.

1. Coleen McLoughlin

2. Kate Moss

3. Sienna Miller

4. Victoria Beckham

5. Cheryl Cole

6. Kylie Minogue

7. Gwen Stefani

8. Keira Knightley

9. Lily Allen

10. Angelina Jolie

Hollywood actress Keira Knightley has revealed that she hates being photographed on the red carpet.

The 22-year-old actress said that she is not comfortable being photographed.

“I’m not comfortable having to be myself, or being photographed as myself,” Daily Express quoted her as saying.

“Australian Aborigines say, with every photograph that is taken, a piece of your soul goes with it. And there are some days when I kind of believe that,” she added.

However, Knightley scooped the Best actress gong and Woman of the Year title,’ at the Elle Style Award.

Keira Knightley and Kylie Minogue have scooped the top prizes at the Elle Style awards.

The Atonement star was named best actress at the London show while James McAvoy, her co-star in Joe Wright’s Oscar-nominated period piece, won the best actor award.

And 39-year-old Kylie was named woman of the year after bouncing back from breast cancer to win an OBE and release her tenth album, entitled X.

There was a double win, of sorts, for the Australian singer, whose stylist William Baker was given the H&M style visionary award for his “renowned style credentials”.

Kylie posed for pictures after her win with famed ladies’ man David Walliams, who admitted he’d be keen to date the diminutive pop star.

“She’s gorgeous and she’s got my number if she wants to get together for a laugh,” he told reporters at the glitzy ceremony at the Westway in Notting Hill, west London.

British supermodel Agyness Deyn was given the best model prize for being a “chameleon of fashion” while Foundations star Kate Nash was also rewarded for her style.

Skins actor Nicholas Hoult and Kelly Osbourne won the awards in the TV categories, while designer Anya Hindmarch took the outstanding achievement prize for her bestselling “I’m not a plastic bag” item.

Former Moloko singer Roisin Murphy performed at the ceremony, becoming the first-ever musical accompaniment for the annual awards.

After missing out on a nomination for the Oscars, Brit beauty Keira Knightley has managed to bag one for the 2008 Empire Awards.

Harry Potter’s also leading the way, with both films having received six nominations ahead of next month’s ceremony.

Billed as an antidote to the Oscars and the Baftas, Zodiac, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Bourne Ultimatum, and The Assassination of Jesse James will battle it out for Best Film.

Atonement is shortlisted for Best British Film, Best Actress for Knightley, Best Actor for James McAvoy, Best Director for Joe Wright, Best Newcomer for Saoirse Ronan, and Best Soundtrack.

Helen O’Hara from Empire thinks Knightley is a very deserving contender.

She said: “This is really the film that shows she’s a proper actress – not just the star from the Pirate movies. It’s definitely her best work to date.”

The award ceremony will be aired on ITV2 on Monday, March 10 at 9pm.

The tragic period romance “Atonement” dominated the race for the British Academy Film Awards, with nominations in 14 categories, including best picture, actor, actress and director.

“No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood” and “The Bourne Ultimatum” also received multiple nods for Britain’s equivalent of the Oscars, organizers announced Wednesday.

The BAFTA prizes, to be awarded at London’s Royal Opera House on Feb. 10, are considered an important indicator of Academy Award prospects. The British awards have a higher-than-usual profile this year with the Hollywood screenwriters’ strike muting the traditional glamour of the U.S. show-business awards season.

In an eclectic field of nominees, Joel and Ethan Coen’s noir western “No Country for Old Men” received nine nods, including best director and three best supporting performer nominations, for Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones and Kelly Macdonald.

Historical epic “There Will be Blood” also received nine nominations, including best actor for Daniel Day-Lewis.

“Atonement,” adapted from Ian McEwan’s literary tearjerker about an ill-starred romance played out against the backdrop of World War II, was nominated for best picture and best British picture. Stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy were nominated in the acting categories, and Joe Wright was shortlisted for best director.

“Atonement” won the best-picture prize at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, although Knightley and McAvoy lost out on the acting prizes.

The full list of best-picture nominees is “Atonement,” “There Will Be Blood,” “No Country for Old Men,” crime epic “American Gangster” and German drama “The Lives of Others.”

The best-actor contenders are McAvoy, Day-Lewis, George Clooney for “Michael Clayton,” Viggo Mortensen for “Eastern Promises” and the late Ulrich Muhe for “The Lives of Others.”

Leading actress nominees are Knightley, Cate Blanchett for “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” Julie Christie for “Away from Her,” Marion Cotillard for “La Vie En Rose” and newcomer Ellen Page for “Juno.”

The Atonement star Keira Knightley doesn’t believe her acting career will last forever and is planning to go to university to study a subject that will help her make a living.

Keira said: “I think acting is a profession that gets blown up and blown down in an instant, and that’s cool and for me, that’s what I find beautiful about it.

“It’s not going to last forever, so at some point I will have to move on and I’ll do something else, and that’s fine.

“I haven’t got a clue what it is, but when I do know, I’ll go back to university. I’ll study something and I’ll become it.”

The 22-year-old actress also revealed she plans to work a lot less in 2008.

She explained: “I’ve been working too much. The other weekend I worked 32 hours straight.

“You should work to live, not live to work. Frankly, I think balancing life and work, when you are on a film set, is impossible.”

Actress Keira Knightley has revealed she’s quitting London in favor of a quiet life in the country.

The ‘Pirates of The Caribbean’ actress – who has been fairly vocal about her hatred towards the press and paparzzi – says she wants to escape the showbiz circuit with her boyfriend Rupert Friend.

She said: “I’m moving out of the center so that I can lead a more domestic life.

“I want to have local things like shops and nice pubs. Central London is just too busy.”

Keira, 22, admits she a bit of a loner and says that she has very few celebrity friends in London, adding to Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper: “I’m not a very sociable person.

“I went to the Vanity Fair post-Oscar party and just stood in the corner drinking champagne. Honestly, I don’t like parties very much.

“I have very few real friends in showbusiness so it’s not really my crowd.”

Keira Knightley rejects claims she’s the brightest acting star of her generation – she’s just lucky. The British actress, who was nominated for a Golden Globe award on Thursday, insists success in movies is a combination of talent and looks, but mostly good fortune.

The Atonement star says, “The thing with acting is it’s not a job where, if you go to drama school, get the best grades and work the hardest, you’re going to be successful.

“It has nothing to do with whether you’re the best or the prettiest. It takes a lot of luck.”

British actress Keira Knightley is so terrified of making a fool of herself at celebrity parties, she often considers not attending the lavish gatherings.

The 22-year-old star hates getting dressed up for red carpet events and always fears being criticised for her choice of outfit. She says, “It is daunting. It is absolutely terrifying. Everybody likes dressing up, and I do too, but I’m terrified.

“I stress so much before I come out that I’m nearly always OK once I go out. There’s nothing I can do about it now, is there?