ASHLEY Jensen has revealed that claims she wants to become an American are no more than an ugly rumour.
It was reported last week that the Annan-born actress was unable to attend the recent Scottish Bafta Awards because she was in the middle of applying to become a US citizen. But the Ugly Betty actress has confirmed that although she is looking to bec
ome a permanent resident in Hollywood, she is determined to hold on to her Scottish roots and UK passport.
An online blog written by a BBC Scotland correspondent claimed that Jensen had missed out on the prestigious Glasgow-based Scottish film and television award ceremony, because of her determination to change her national status.
It stated: "Bafta have expanded the criteria to take in actors working in any part of the globe – hence the inclusion of Ashley Jensen for the American comedy Ugly Betty.
"She wasn't there – she is apparently applying for American citizenship and can't leave America until it is done – which is just as well because she didn't win."
But a spokesman for Jensen said he wanted to set the record straight.
He said: "Ashley certainly does not want to give up her British citizenship and has no intention of doing so in future. She is very proud of where she comes from and her background and wants to maintain that."
But he confirmed that the actress was in the process of applying for a US Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card, which would allow her to live and work in the US as a legal "alien" for as long as she wants.
Strict rules, set by the American Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, mean she must remain in the country until the application has been processed.
The Emmy-nominated actress's claim is expected to be rubber-stamped on the basis that she is a "person of exceptional ability in the arts".
Her spokesman also revealed she will strongly resist calls to follow in the footsteps of other Scottish based stars, like Sheena Easton and chat show host Craig Ferguson, and tone down her accent.
"Ashley is a such a sincere, down-to-earth person and she won't tailor her speech and vocabulary to please other people," he said.
Jensen, whose first big role was the lead in a stage adaptation of the Scottish comic book character Oor Wullie, is now neighbours with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie after buying an £850,000 home in one of Los Angeles' most exclusive areas.
But despite signing a seven-year contract, which is expected to make her a multi-millionairess, she will not be moving to LA where the fashion industry based hit comedy Ugly Betty is now filmed.
And he 39-year-old admitted that she initially struggled to feel at home in Tinsel Town.
Speaking to Californian chat show queen Chelsea Lately, she said: "I found it difficult here at first, I must say.
"There were so many differences. The roads were big, the cars were so big.
"I'm used to walking everywhere at home, but people just don't walk here."
