'I'm EXTREMELY British!' Remainer Colin Firth defends Italian dual-citizenship application

The Pride and Prejudice actor took up Italian
citizenship on Friday, according to the Rome interior
ministry.
Mr Firth said in an interview with an Austrian
newspaper: ”Brexit is a disaster of unexpected
proportions that does not have a single positive
outlook.
“Many colleagues, including Emma Thompson, are, like
me, enthusiastic Europeans, and we still cannot believe
it."
Colin Firth has been granted Italian citizenship
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The 57-
year-
old
actor
has an
Italian
wife
Livia
Giuggioli, speaks Italian and spends a lot of his time in
the country.
The interior ministry in Rome said: “The celebrated
actor, who received an Oscar for his work in the film
‘The King’s Speech’ has married a citizen of our nation
and has repeatedly expressed his love for our
country.”
But Mr Firth defended his decision and said he was
"extremely British".
The actor said: “A connection with Italy has existed in
my family for more than two decades now. I was
married there and had two children born in Rome. My
wife and I are both extremely proud of our own
countries. We feel that we’ve made a gift of that to
each other."
He added his children have always been dual citizens
but said with "uncertainty around" both he and his wife
had decided to apply for passports.
The ministry has granted the British actor Italian
citizenship saying that he married an Italian citizen
and declared on several occasions his love for the
country.
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Colin's wife is Italian and he speaks the language
fluently
In a statement Mr Firth added: “I will always be
extremely British (you only have to look at or listen to
me). Britain is our home and we love it here.
"Despite the enticements of my profession to relocate
to more remunerative climes I’ve always chosen to
base my career out of the UK and pay my taxes here.
That hasn’t changed.
“I married into Italy (and anyone will tell you when you
marry an Italian you don’t just marry one person; you
marry a family and perhaps an entire country…). Like
almost everybody I have a passionate love of Italy and
joining my wife and kids in being dual citizens will be a
huge privilege.”
The Oscar award-winning actor married his Italian wife
in 1997 and they have two sons, Luca and Matteo.
Colin Firth is one of the most loved British actor
The Bridges Jones star Mr Firth has also made films in
Italy, including the 2009 movie Genova.
In May, his spokesman said: “Colin applied for dual
citizenship, British and Italian, in order to have the
same passports as his wife and children
Following the Brexit vote, various EU countries have
reported an increase in British nationals seeking a new
nationality in the wake of the UK leaving the EU.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has made a
keynote speech in Florence to try and revive stalled
Brexit talks.

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