Rupert Everett has revealed that his latest theatre role has driven him to drink and cigarettes.

He is currently starring as Professor Higgins in Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion in London's West End, and he admits he's turned to alcohol to calm his nerves.

Everett is worried he might turn into the legendary drinker Richard Burton, thanks to his new habits.

"Apart from odd nights I don't stay up very late. The only thing that's going wrong is that I think I'm becoming alcoholic," The Daily Express quoted Everett as saying.

"I'm drinking more and rehearsing this play has almost driven me to alcohol because its so nerve-racking. Cider has become my new tipple!

"I can see myself ending up like Richard Burton, because the business is very stressful and I even started smoking again during rehearsals for this," he added.

Everett is sure that he doesn't want to get into drugs again, though.

"You can't take drugs when you're 50. I want my brain to continue functioning. The thing I'm worried about most now is brain disease. Having taken so many drugs in my life, I think, oh my God, what about all my neuro things?

"I don't think I ever had a drug problem - I just took a lot of drugs. But slowly I stopped and if I take any drugs now, it's just prescription pills," he said. (ANI)