James McAvoy had Oscars security on red alert

Brit star James McAvoy had Oscars security on red alert after admitting he stole placemats from the recent BAFTA awards in London.

The 'Atonement' actor came clean on the red carpet as he and actress wife Anne-Marie Duff chatted to Ryan Seacrest. Recalling his Baftas theft, he said: "They had these great placemats with movies on them and things like that.

"I stole about four of them."

Anne-Marie, who will soon be starring with James in a new silent film project, added: "He stole lots of them."

James also told how Americans seem to appreciate the funny side of his Oscar-nominated movie Atonement more than Brits. He said: "They laugh at it a lot more than they do in Britain.

"In Britain they just find it depressing.

"But here they find it depressing and humorous."

James and Anne-Marie were planning to go to Prince's Oscar party, even though it was not set to start until 2am.

James joked: "We could go to bed at like 11pm and then get up again."