Colin Firth says the "quintessential Englishman" is a myth.

The 47-year-old actor - who played English gentleman Mr. Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice' - thinks the stereotypical character portrayed by himself and other British actors like Hugh Grant doesn't exist in real life.

Firth, who appears alongside Uma Thurman in new movie 'The Accidental Husband', said: "I've decided the quintessential Englishman I play doesn't exist."

"I play him but you don't run into him very often. There aren't very many Mr. Darcys out there. I think he's a figment of our folklore or film lore.

"My character exists in mythology and he may have existed once but now he only exists in the hands of actors."

Firth also revealed he is bemused that foreign journalists have fallen for the Hollywood image of Englishmen and ignored the legions of rebellious rockers the U.K. has produced.

He added: "I was questioned about this by a group of Greek journalists recently while making a movie version of 'Mamma Mia.'"

"They were insisting on the stereotypical Englishman, that no Englishman has ever grown his hair long, played the electric guitar or pierced his ear. There was no Johnny Rotten and no John Lennon."

"One of them said all Englishmen were like Prince Philip, whom I pointed out happens to be Greek."