Michael Caine: How I made marriage work

Sir Michael Caine and his wife "pre-empted" any relationship danger by always travelling to film sets together.

The 82-year-old actor has been married to Shakira for 42 years, with their lengthy union something of a rarity in Hollywood. Michael has explained how they managed to make things work, with one of the reasons that no matter how beautiful his co-stars have been, he's always felt Shakira was his number one.

"We also pre-empted any of that kind of danger because I never went on location without her," he told British newspaper The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye.

"Going on location, where there are beautiful leading ladies - or temptations elsewhere - is a killer. Among actors they say, 'Well, location doesn't count.' I never went with that saying, because I never went on location without her. Simple."

Michael is similarly realistic about other areas of his life. Despite having won two Oscars and countless other awards, he doesn't see himself as particularly special when it comes to acting. This was shown when he recalled a conversation he had with director Christopher Nolan, who cast him in his Batman trilogy - as well as several other flicks - and was so convinced Michael was the reason it did so well he dubbed the star his "lucky charm".

"I said, 'No, you're MY lucky charm! I've never made six blockbusters in a row. I don't think I've ever made two blockbusters in a row,'" Michael laughed.

Part of the star's charm is how low-key he is about his life. While other stars are determined not to show their age, Michael has no problem with his advancing years, although he is trying to exercise as much as he can.

"I keep in shape to stay alive, not in order to impress someone with a great body," he explained.