The 43-year-old actor is known for his portrayals of real-life people - including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in three films, `Carry On` actor Kenneth Williams, legendary soccer manager Brian Clough and acclaimed reporter David Frost - in his films but says the characters are just him emphasising different aspects of his personality.

He explained: "You`re only ever playing yourself. That`s all I can play.

"I think of it like a mixing desk in a sound studio, with all those faders that you put at different levels.

"To play Brian Clough in `The Damned United`, I amped up my bossy side, for Kenneth Williams I was a bit more outrageous. It`s not like you put on a suit of clothes and take it off at the end of the day."

While Michael has portrayed many real-life stars, he thinks his 13-year-old daughter Lily - whose mother is Kate Beckinsale - would be a great candidate to play him in a biopic because she is such a good mimic.

Asked who could play him in a film, he added to Elle magazine: "Well, my daughter does a pretty good impersonation of me. She`s brutal. But you need someone to play you, warts and all."
sections: Celebrities