McCutcheon hits out at 'brutal' Hollywood

Martine McCutcheon has criticised the "brutal" nature of the Hollywood film industry.

The actress moved to the US in a bid for movie stardom after appearing in hit romantic comedy Love Actually in 2003.

However, despite winning a Best Transatlantic Breakthrough gong at the 2004 MTV Movie Awards, her dreams failed to materialise and she returned to the UK.

She told Closer: "Los Angeles is just brutal. Even Cameron Diaz is old hat. Once you do three movies, you're over. I can see why people like Kate Winslet have said they like spending time in the UK - Los Angeles just isn't the real world."

She added: "Even though moving there wasn't a godsend for my career, I got the chance to take stock - I grew up a lot in that year."

The 31-year-old is currently starring in ITV1 sister shows Echo Beach and Moving Wallpaper.

> Click here for our interview with the young cast of Echo Beach