James McAvoy's Christmas love

James McAvoy loves the build up to Christmas and can enjoy festive songs at any time of the year.

James McAvoy enjoys the build up to the Christmas period.

The 'X-Men: First Class' actor - who plays the lead role of Arthur in animated movie 'Arthur Christmas', directed by Sarah Smith - is a huge fan of the anticipation leading up to December 25 and can listen to festive tunes all of the year and not just during the traditional time.

Asked his most-loved thing about Christmas, James said: "Not only Christmas Day, but the whole build up. Making mulled wine or having Christmassy-type food. I'm in the mood to listen to Christmas songs throughout the year."

He particularly enjoyed his role in the family-friendly movie - which also features the voices of Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie and Bill Nighy - because he is the "most warped" member of the cast.

He said: "Arthur is innocent in the extreme, and he is enthusiastic to a fault about Christmas. Of all the Christmas clan he is probably the most warped and slightly touched."