Lily Collins has always “felt more British than American”.

The 35-year-old actress is the daughter of English musician Phil Collins, 73, and his American ex-wife Jill Tavelman but insisted that even though she is “half and half”, she has always felt more in tune with her paternal heritage.

But, she did experience some confusion when she took on the title role of ‘Emily In Paris’, which follows a young woman who moves from the US to France.

She told The Sunday Telegraph: “I am half and half, but I’ve always felt more British than American. I have played the most American character for five years now.

“And that was interesting, because I grew up learning French, speaking it, dreaming in it… But then I’m playing a character who is supposed to not understand it, is very American, does not feel comfortable in Europe. And so that at first was a bit ‘What? But I do! Playing Emily makes me feel more American!”

Meanwhile, Lily is now making her theatrical debut in ‘Barcelona’ – which follows the catastrophic aftermath of a one night stand between an American and a Spaniard – at the Duke of York Theatre in London’s West End admitted that she just wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father by treading the boards one day, even though she is “terrified” by the prospect.

She said: “I’ve never done this. I’m so excited, but I’m also terrified – in the best way – and I want you to know that there are going to be moments when I’m stressed, I’m anxious, I’m nervous, I’m gonna doubt myself.

“I did theatre as a kid, so it was in me already. I knew I wanted to do it. The West End was the thing in my head; my dad had done it. I grew up going to shows in the West End. I just loved it so much.”