A Brit of alright
It would seem that as far as US women are concerned, when it comes to men, British is best
Jennifer Aniston recently enjoyed a fling with Essex-born former bricklayer Paul Sculfor, making her the latest in a long line of American A-listers casting the net over these shores in search of a man.
Here are just some of the American beauties who have found happiness with a homegrown hunk.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie
Once known as a fun-loving, good-time girl, Madonna has embraced some good old-fashioned English values to teach her two children Lourdes and Rocco.
'Everybody has to chip in,' she says of the household rules. 'Even my children have to clean up their mess, clean up their rooms. Manners; thank you and please, take your dishes to the sink and gratitude, being grateful - that has to happen.'
Life with British director Ritchie has certainly tamed the 48-year-old, who even enjoys horse riding and other country pursuits at their Wiltshire estate.
'I'm definitely not a Material Girl anymore,' she says. 'My life is very different now; I have a husband and I have children. I like to think I've made some improvements.'
One of the things she most admires about her hubby of six years is his style, as well as his ability to stand up to her.
'I like it when my husband wears suits and I tell him that on a regular basis,' says Madonna, who was previously married to bad boy Sean Penn. 'Guy will sometimes laugh at what I wear. I'll put something on and he'll look at me and say, "Who are you going as then?"'
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin
It came as little surprise when the Oscar-winning actress found herself a Brit to settle down with. After all, people have been mistakenly assuming Gwyneth, 34, is from the UK for years.
'I think it is an image that has been created,' she says of her seemingly honorary British status. 'I know some people still think I'm English now but I am not unhappy about it. English actresses have a good image.'
The Shakespeare In Love star, who wed Coldplay singer Chris Martin in December 2003, is happy raising the couple's two children, Apple and Moses, in London as she has become attached to life across the Pond.
She says: 'I am always amazed that I get this look of disbelief when I say to people over here "I love living in your country". There's always a look of puzzlement that seems to flit across their faces.'
Martin's charm and patience with their two kids helps keep the spark alive in their marriage. 'He's a wonderful father and a wonderful husband,' she smiles. 'I'm lucky.'
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
As they approach their fifth wedding anniversary, Gwen remains as much under her charming husband's spell as ever. The singer, whose son Kingston was born last May, first met 41-year-old Bush frontman Rossdale in 1996 and they have been together ever since, dividing their time between LA and London.
'He's the most important part of my life and I make sure it is a number one priority,' says Gwen. 'British ska music had a huge impact on my life. I was obsessed with the whole London scene, the whole UK basically. And I end up marrying this guy who's English. Who would have though that?'
The two have even hung out in London with fellow trans-Atlantic couple Madonna and Guy Ritchie.
'She just invited us round,' adds Gwen, 37. 'We were talking about being American girls married to British guys. She was so sweet and lovely and Guy and Gavin just completely clicked.'
Liv Tyler and Royston Langdon
Liv says she has her rocker husband's English upbringing to thank for his well-mannered attention to her. The 29-year-old, who wed Langdon in Barbados in March 2003 and gave birth to son Milo in December 2004, couldn't be happier to have settled down with a polite Englishman.
'Roy's so funny and he's just a gentleman,' she gushes. 'He's so loving and incredibly supportive. He's got really beautiful manners; he was raised very well. He always treats me like a lady and he's very intelligent.'
After a hectic childhood (her father is Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler), Liv is delighted to have settled down with her man and has fallen in love with his hometown of Leeds.
'I love the Roman ruins and the rolling hills,' she admits. 'It's so beautiful. I've also become a big fan of Yorkshire pudding! I didn't know how much it meant to me until I was married and pregnant. It made me realise how much I wanted this traditional life. When you grow up in an unstable environment like I did, you develop a longing for your own sense of place and for roots.'
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