(TDB) - French actor Gerard Depardieu has admitted that he drinks up to 14 bottles of wine a day, and that he often starts drinking before 10am.

As reported by The Mirror, in an interview with So Film, the 65-year-old actor made the shocking revelation: “When I’m bored, I drink. Apart from compulsory moments of abstinence. After bypass surgery, and also because of cholesterol and stuff, I have to be careful.

“I’m not going to die. Not now. I still have energy. But if ever I start drinking I can’t drink like a normal person. I can absorb 12, 13, 14 bottles per day,” he said.

Going into further detail, Depardieu, known for starring in Cyrano de Bergerac, Jean de Florette and The Man in the Iron Mask, said he begins his drinking sessions at home with Champagne and red wine “before 10am”.

“Then pastis, maybe half a bottle. Then food, accompanied by two bottles of wine. In the afternoon, Champagne, beer, and more pastis at around 5pm, to finish off the bottle. Later on vodka and/or whisky,” he said.

“But I’m never totally drunk, just a little pissed. All you need is a 10-minute nap and voila, a slurp of rose wine and I feel as fresh as a daisy,” he added.