Rhys Meyers' 'embarrassing' poetry

Jonathan Rhys Meyers has an alternative career lined up for when he's too old to act - he wants to be a poet.

The Cork actor writes verse during his spare time, but is too embarrassed to let anyone read his creations just yet.

Instead he plans to wait until he retires from the stage and screen before showing fans his literary efforts.

Rhys Meyers told the New York Daily News: "I write poetry. That's something very private, though. maybe when I'm a lot older and I won't be so embarrassed, I'll publish it."