Kevin Spacey raves about life in London

Hollywood superstar Kevin Spacey enjoys living in London so much, he has written an article for an American magazine telling his countrymen how to get the most from visits to the British capital.

The actor has been living in London for a year since taking up his position as artistic director at the city's Old Vic theatre. In that time he has become an expert on London life.

In the article for Conde Nast Traveller, Spacey sings the praises of London's trendy Soho district, particularly the diversity on show. He writes: "The gay community drinks alongside football fans, students dine alongside the cream of capitalism. Soho has it all but don't try to buy E (Ecstasy) - this isn't Amsterdam."

He also expresses his love of more modest forms of transport. He writes: "My favourite way around London is on an electric scooter. It's like riding a surfboard with handlebars."

Having sampled some of the finest cuisine the world has to offer, Spacey seems to have found his spiritual home eating traditional English breakfasts in some of London's cheapest eateries. He muses: "One of the best can be had at the Ritz Hotel… But for a more proletarian fry-up you can't do better than a café, where builders and brokers join in a team effort to raise the bar on the world's cholesterol level."

In a final warning to his compatriots, Spacey points out that Americans abroad can end up spending much more than they need to just because of their worldwide image: "For the more prudent shopper there are the flea markets of Camden… Hiding your American accent here is a must, unless you want to walk away $360 (€290) lighter and carrying the lost Van Gogh self-portrait."