Grant spent 13 years with Liz Hurley

The actor, single since breaking up with Liz Hurley in 2000, told Vanity Fair magazine he yearned to take time off to settle down with someone.

"I'm ready, baby. I need to get married and have children," he said.

"If I went to a party tonight and bumped into a fantastic girl, whereas three years ago it might have led to a short term relationship, now I definitely keep my thoughts open to the idea of settling down. Definitely."

The About A Boy star told the magazine he wanted to take a break from acting because he "hates" the job - despite the wealth it has brought him.

"In fact, I hate it quite a lot," he said.

"All acting, but especially movie acting."

'Like a monkey'

He said he fell into the profession "by mistake" and would like to spend time pursuing other interests, including writing.

Hollywood would only have an appeal if he was writing or directing films rather than being "wheeled on" like a monkey.

"Imagine what it's like, at 42, to be sitting in hair and make-up. It's ridiculous."

"I'm rich and my life's luxurious. But, above all, I feel a nervous exhaustion," he added.

Grant dismissed the idea he could rekindle his romance with Hurley, with whom he is still close.

"She's with another guy and, you know, we're good friends," he said.