Anna Friel finds visiting a pain in the...

Anna Friel

Rochdale born actress Anna Friel has told Ireland Online that finding time to visit her family in England is difficult.

The 'Pushing Daisies' actress - who owns houses in Los Angeles and London - says she loves her transatlantic lifestyle, but hates organising trips to see her parents in Rochdale.

The 33-year-old star said: "I adapt really easily. But finding a good time to visit my family is a pain in the a***."

Ms Friel - who lives with her partner, 'Harry Potter' star David Thewlis, and their daughter Gracie - is currently playing Holly Golightly in the West End production of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' in London.

She is also preparing to shoot several new films, including an untitled Woody Allen project, which she thinks will usher in a new stage in her career.

Ms Friel explained: "This is phase three. Maybe some of my early film choices weren't the best because people didn't get to see them.

"But Woody has given me one of the biggest compliments I've ever been given in my entire life. I couldn't believe it. I thought I must be doing something right if someone like that is saying that."