Hugh Jackman always carries tap dancing shoes

Hugh Jackman always has his tap shoes in his bag in case he comes across an unexpected dance floor.

The actor is best known for his roles in hit films like X-Men and Les Miserables, but before breaking into Hollywood, he made a name for himself in theatre and even earned an Olivier Award nomination for his role in Oklahoma!

In consequence, Hugh likes to be prepared in case a surprise opportunity to draw on his musical theatre background comes along.

"I dance every day whatever I'm doing," he grinned in an interview with Britain's Hello! magazine. "I carry my tap shoes in my bag because you never know when you're going to find a dance floor."

The Australian star is cashing in on his singing and dancing talents in his new tour, Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show., in which he will perform songs from many of the musicals he's been associated with. The world tour kicks off on 13 May (19) in Germany, and he can't wait to become reacquainted with tracks from his latest musical hit, The Greatest Showman.

"I love the show because it's all about accepting who you are," the 50-year-old insisted. "(P.T.) Barnum lived at a time when people who looked different were considered not just different but cursed by God.

"If we all own up to our differences and start to embrace them in everybody else, then it can be what makes life special and fantastic."

Hugh is currently playing former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Gary Hart in The Front Runner, but looking forward to future projects, he conceded that he won't be sharing the screen with his actress wife of 22 years, Deborra-lee Furness.

"I'd love to work with her again, but she made a rule in the beginning - and it was a wise one - that she and I wouldn't work at the same time," he added.