Eddie Izzard "not a transvestite"?

Eddie Izzard says Americans don't believe he is a transvestite.

The British comic star is known for wearing women's clothes in his homeland, but since toning down his appearance to secure Stateside success, he has been "begging" his new fans to accept both sides to his colourful character.

"I believed that if I had turned up for the auditions for The Riches or Valkyrie in make-up and a dress, I would not get the roles," he says. "I tell everyone I'm a transvestite over and over again. I insist and I beg people to believe it and I never thought that I would be on TV begging people to believe I'm a transvestite."

Although his American fans will take some convincing, the 47-year-old actor is prepared to don a dress to prove he is still an active transvestite with attitude.

He added to the South Wales Echo newspaper: "I am being strategic about this. I've been in boy mode for the last few years, but I know I can be in girl mode if I want to. I could throw on a dress right now and if I went out in the street and people insulted me, then I would insult them back.

"I would know what to do. It's all still there. It's in my toolbox. I am a card-carrying transvestite. Always have been, always will be."