Hugh’s Samba Shambles

Empire Online bumped into actor Hugh Laurie at a theatrical do last night and discovered that there are no lengths that the fellow won't stoop to get a role. 'I have got a film coming out in about a month called The Girl from Rio,' Hugh told us. 'I dance samba in that which turned out to be a big mistake. I should never have taken it on. But you lie in auditions, you see, that is the trouble. They asked me, "Do you think you can dance?", and I said "Dance? No problem! Why do you think my real name is Hugh Fred Astaire Laurie for goodness sake?" 'We filmed it for 8 weeks in Rio de Janeiro and it is a staggering place. You have to go if you have not been. Ladies and Gentlemen I urge you to go it is a fantastic place.' Hugh finds himself linked with virtually every classic film in the future - and he wanted to put the record straight, in his own inimitable style. 'People keep asking me if I am involved with the modern remake of The Christmas Carol. I am not. But to everyone who keeps asking, I can only beg "Rub it in, why don't you? Nor am I am involved with 102 Dalmatians. But of course I wish them well. 'Just not too well.'