Market Rasen actor Jim Broadbent, who plays Margaret Thatcher's husband Denis in the film The Iron Lady, has revealed he never really liked the former prime minister.

Fans gathered to see Broadbent and the film's leading lady, Meryl Streep, on the 'blue' carpet tonight at the European premiere of the Hollywood movie. They were joined at the BFI on London's Southbank by other members of the cast, including Richard E Grant and Olivia Colman.

Broadbent said: "I never was a great Thatcher fan and it wasn't a sad day when in my life when she resigned."

However, he said playing the role had given him a little more understanding of the Grantham-born former prime minister.

He said: "When you research someone, you actually get beyond your own preconceptions and become aware of the human being other than the image. You become empathetic and sympathetic in turn."

Streep was beaming and looked chic in a long black dress, blue cloak and boots as she walked the carpet and chatted to fans. She has defended her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher as a frail old woman suffering from dementia and said she wanted to show the human side of the character.

The 62-year-old star was named best actress of the year by the New York Film Critics Circle, one of the most influential critics' groups in the U.S and an indicator for who is up for Oscar nominations.

She said: "There is a feeling that the walls are just more permeable between the present and the past and one intrudes on the other.

"We've all had that moment where you can't remember why you went upstairs and so it was extrapolating that feeling of disorientation, momentary as it is."

Told in a series of flashbacks, the film sees an elderly Baroness Thatcher struggling with advanced dementia and in regular conversation with her late husband.

It has been hoped Broadbent's portrayal of Denis Thatcher would bring him another Oscar. However, earlier this year there were concerns Hollywood had done a hatchet job on the Iron Lady's husband by portraying him as a "buffoon".

The Mail online said: "Sir Denis liked a joke and was known for his wit and self-deprecating humour. But did he really ever prance down the street in such a buffoonish manner?

"Onlookers said Broadbent's performance as he filmed a scene from The Iron Lady was more reminiscent of John Cleese in the Ministry Of Silly Walks sketch.

"Despite the hat and glasses, the actor also looks almost nothing like the man he is playing."

Let's hope it's all Hollywood hype - we've never seen a bad Broadbent film yet and an Oscar would be another highlight in a successful career.

What is for sure is recent publicity will ensure a box office success, which is what it's all about. The film opens across the county on Friday.

For the official trailer, click here.