Allen reveals what lies behind his English love affair - the weather

Woody Allen spoke of his love of English slang at the premiere of his first London film in the capital last night.

Allen spent several months in Marylebone and Chelsea to film Match Point with British actors and the Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.

The film kick-started a love affair with London for the director, better known for his Manhattan backdrops. He said he had learned a lot of slang from using a British cast.

"I let the cast improvise a lot, especially with the slang where they would say G&T for gin and tonic. I wouldn't say that. I would say dicey when they would say dodgy. I learnt a lot."

Allen also praised British weather. "It was superb for photography," he said. "Grey skies photograph beautifully, the light it casts is very soft. Filming in New York can be so hot in summer, but here it was perfect for my melancholy spirit."

Match Point, hailed as a return to form after some poor reviews for Allen's recent films, has received four Golden Globe nominations, for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and, for Johansson, Best Supporting Actress.