Ben Barnes: Girls don't want good guys

Ben Barnes didn't get the girls at school because he was the "good guy".

In the fantasy movie Seventh Son, Ben plays Tom Ward, who is learning to fight off evil spirits under the guidance of the local Spook.

Fantasy is Ben's favourite genre because of its dark nature and the star believes forbidden love has a similar pull for people.

"Isn't it always the case that we want what we can't have?" he mused to German magazine Jolie.

"It starts as soon as you get to school - the girls always want the bad boys. I don't think the guys are any different. Unfortunately I was the good guy and brought up to be decent, so I was left on the shelf."

The 33-year-old has been linked to Tamsin Egerton and Amanda Seyfried in the past, but is currently believed to be single. When it comes to love, he generally takes a pragmatic approach and doesn't think it can happen at first sight.

"My mother is a relationship counsellor and I learnt a lot about love from her," he revealed.

"Love is something that comes out of a mutual trust with your partner. Shared goals, humour, the excitement when your hands touch... Those are things you can't tell at first glance. Maybe lust, but not love!"

Ben is joined by Hollywood heavyweights Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore in Seventh Son, as well as Alicia Vikander and Kit Harington. It hits the UK later this month.