Cillian Murphy: I'd be an eejit not to enjoy Oscars, Oppenheimer star says

Cillian Murphy says he has struggled being in the spotlight, but he will try to enjoy the Academy Awards next month where he is nominated for best actor.

The Irish-born star has been nominated for Christopher Nolan's blockbuster Oppenheimer and is set to face off Maestro's Bradley Cooper for the prize.

"You'd be an eejit not to enjoy it," he told BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

He was asked by host Lauren Laverne how he will deal with being out of his comfort zone at the Oscars.

"I have struggled with it in the past and you know, it's not something I'm ever totally at ease with - but I think you have to, like, choose to enjoy it and I think you can do that in your brain, just make that alteration and it's easier then," the 47-year-old said.

Murphy - also known for horror film 28 Days Later, thriller Red Eye and playing Tommy Shelby in hit BBC crime series Peaky Blinders - is often not forthcoming about his private life.

He has previously spoken about finding red carpets "challenging".

But, Murphy said having his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, by his side has been "crucial" to feeling grounded as the "sort of ancillary aspect of being an actor is quite challenging".

Murphy also said: "To have a really secure solid base (with fame) is important. It's been really important for me, you have to have that safe place.

"I think I certainly do, where it's just like an island of comfort and ease."