The agony of growing old — by action hero Neeson

During his blissfully happy 15-year marriage to actress natasha richardson, Liam neeson’s birthdays were a time for jollity and family celebration.

But the irish actor, who turns 63 this weekend, tells me such occasions are now so poignant he prefers to ignore them. ‘My birthday is a touchy subject,’ he tells me at the launch of Soho gallery Maison Mais non, opened by his and his late wife’s son Micheal (pictured with his father).

‘i’m going to be 63 — nobody wants to be 63! i’m getting old. What i want more than anything is for it to be ignored. i just hate it and it makes me feel vulnerable.

‘it’s such a private thing — the day you were born, the day you came out of your mother’s womb.

‘Some people hire a boat and do grand things like that, but i just get embarrassed about that sort of celebration and attention.

‘i had a wee splash for my 60th — Bono’s a pal, he came — but even that was borderline “i wanna get the f*** out of here”.’

neeson’s wife natasha died at the age of 45 from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident in 2009 and he has spoken of how he devoted himself to his work to help cope with his grief. His rugged good looks have helped him land roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as Taken and Batman Begins.

Micheal, 19, who has an 18-year-old brother named Daniel, confessed he ‘hit rock bottom’ last year after going off the rails and spending time in rehab.

Liam concurs with george Clooney that the best way for a man to grow old is not to fight the ageing process, but to embrace it.

‘Ageing should be done gracefully,’ neeson tells me.

‘i agree with george that the best way to grow older is not to get any work done to your face.’