Hollywood star Kate Winslet and husband SAM MENDES have turned their backs on Britain for good - driven away by the country's intrusive media.

The couple and their children MIA, six, and JOE, three, now live full-time in New York - and insist they have no plans to return.

Winslet explains, "You'd see them (photographers) hiding in the trees and try desperately to ignore them because you don't want your child affected by it.

"It's weird and freaky. You just don't want someone you don't know taking a photograph of your small child. It's sick.

"It's better in New York. New Yorkers are much more respectful, not just the press but the people."