Charlize Theron 'would love to be a mum'

Charlize Theron has revealed that she is ready to start a family.

Theron, who has been dating actor Stuart Townsend for nine years, explained that she would like lots of children.

According to Showbiz Spy, she said: "I feel very blessed to have had a certain amount of success and now I'm reaching the point where I would love to be a mum. I know I want to raise a big family and it's just a question of time. I know I'm ready for that phase of my life and I know that Stuart is the man I want to take that step with."

Theron also praised Townsend, describing him as "remarkable", "warm" and "caring".

"We've been able to make a great life for ourselves and that can be pretty hard in this business when you're travelling and sometimes separated," she said. "What holds us together is great love, great respect and great friendship - we're lucky in that we've discovered a way of enjoying our time together and being happy.

"Even after nine years, we're still completely crazy about each other."