Actor James McAvoy believes Scotland will have a “conscious uncoupling” with the rest of the UK and vote for independence in the next decade.

The X-Men star from Glasgow refused to say which way he voted in last year’s referendum but admitted he would “like independence at some point”.

James McAvoy
James McAvoy (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

James, 36, told the Sunday Times’ Culture magazine: “When we get it, it’ll be – as Gwyneth once said – a conscious uncoupling, rather than a messy break-up.

“A lot of people who wanted it voted no last time because they didn’t like Alex Salmond and sensed there was ego at play, rather than a conscientious leader.”

He said he expected Scottish independence would arrive “in the next decade” and it would be a “grown-up, less harmful divorce” than what could have happened in September 2014.

The former Shameless star did not publicly announce which way he was voting before the referendum, which saw 55.3% of votes against independence.

Anne-Marie Duff and James McAvoy
Anne-Marie Duff and James McAvoy (Ian West/PA)

The term “conscious uncoupling” was made famous when it was used to announce Gwyneth Paltrow’s split with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

The Oscar-winning actress later denied writing the phrase, which appeared on her Goop lifestyle website in a post to announce the separation in March 2014.