Ross King: Jodie Foster brought a little bit of Brit craziness to LA

I LOVE getting a taste of home over Christmas here in Los Angeles.

A wee bit of shortbread, a couple of mince pies and running around a petrol station on Christmas Eve trying to buy last-minute presents are festive traditions I’ve been celebrating since I was wee.

It felt like I was home in the UK as a host of stars staged a British invasion at the at the recent BAFTA Britannia Awards.

Among the UK celebs there were Rogue One star Felicity Jones, Ewan McGregor and Ricky Gervais.

And this event had plenty of Yanks gobbling up the fish and chip entrees – including Jennifer Lawrence, Samuel L. Jackson and Jodie Foster.

I had a nice wee natter with Silence Of The Lambs star Jodie.

She’s both an actor and a director, so I wondered what Jodie the director thought of Jodie the actor.

“Oh gosh! I have no idea, that’s how schizophrenic I am!” said Jodie.

“I’ve directed myself acting, then gone into the cutting room to watch my performance and thought, ‘I wish she hadn’t done what I’d asked her to do! I wish she’d given me something different!’

“I love directing, there’s nothing like it. It’s years of your life, but I can’t imagine not doing it.”

And what does she make of the UK?

“So many things. I just spent time in England and rediscovered London. I had crazy times in the UK when I was in my 20s and 30s but then I got busy and had kids.

“But it’s one of my favourite places.”

I also bumped into Ben Bailey Smith, successful rapper and star of David Brent: Life On The Road.

Ben, who also co-hosts Film 2016 on the BBC, was hosting the BAFTA Britannias.

He was telling me he was nervous about being in front such a fantastic group of celebs when Ricky Gervais, aka David Brent, wandered by.

“Why are you nervous?” asked Ricky. “You’ve had a drink, haven’t you? I’m going for a drink – I’m worried now, but I won’t be in 10 minutes.”

“There you go,” added Ben as Ricky wandered off. “The dude always looks out for me. He gives me a lot of confidence. I’ll be honest – Ricky just doesn’t care! He always just does his thing.”

Join me next week for my special gift to you – a round-up of the year in showbiz.

I’ve just checked the amount that’s happened and have asked the editor for five more pages!