Russell CroweRussell Crowe is annoyed that he will never be able to shake of his reputation for having a harsh temper after being convicted of assaulting a hotel receptionist with a phone in New York last year.

He claims family life has helped curb his anger since then but people still remember the “old” him: “I think my reputation is something I’ll probably try to spend the rest of my life living down.”

“I have got a temper but I’m 100 per cent reliable on the set.”

But he’s got at least one supporter in Hollywood - director Ridley Scott, who’s worked with Russell on Gladiator, A Good Year and the forthcoming American Gangster, believes Russell just takes a bit of getting used to.

He said recently: “Really, what it is is Russell is very smart and therefore asks all sorts of intelligent questions, so if you’re not ready you’re going to get caught in the crossfire. So you’d better be ready.”

“I’m used to him now. He’s fundamentally a bit of a puppy dog.”