Luke Evans loving ‘simple’ new life in Portugal

Actor Luke Evans has revealed he’s loving his “simple” new life after moving to Lisbon and becoming a Portuguese citizen.

Luke Evans has moved to Lisbon and become a Portuguese citizen.

The Hobbit star grew up in Wales but last year he quit his native UK and emigrated to Portugal with his partner of six years, Fran Tomas, and Luke is loving his “simple” new life.

After talking about UK politics in an interview with The Telegraph newspaper, Luke confessed the subject no longer concerns him since he moved abroad. He explained: “I think many {UK political] parties still try and appeal to Middle England; they want to appeal to the masses.

“And I wonder whether as a country we are ready yet for a gay prime minister. I don’t know.

“Fortunately I don’t have to think about all this now because I no longer live here.”

Luke confirmed recently became a Portuguese citizen, and added: “I love it there. Life is so simple. That resonates with me.”

The actor has previously talked about his struggle with his sexuality when he was growing up in Wales with his Jehovah’s Witness parents and he ended up moving away as a teenager and breaking ties with the Christian denomination, which is known for its evangelism and beliefs including objections to homosexuality.

However, Luke has revealed he remains close to his parents and they talk every day.

He told the publication: “We talk every day. We check in. We don’t say much. I ask: ‘Who has died? Who’s got married?’ That sort of thing.

“But they are my only flesh and blood. It’s only us. We don’t foist our lifestyles on each other. My mum and dad are lovely, lovely people, extremely kind and compassionate. And that has nothing to do with their religion.”

Luke went on to talk about being an openly gay actor in Hollywood and admitted he refuses to judge others who aren’t open about their sexuality.

He also spoke about previously being in line to tackle the role of James Bond and revealed the bosses behind the franchise knew about his sexuality and it wasn’t a “problem”.

Luke explained: “I was on the list for Bond for a good decade. Of course, I’m too old now, but clearly people knew I was gay, and they didn’t think it was a problem. They just want the right person to pull it off.”