Kim Cattrall is still smitten with her "fun playmate" Russell Thomas after almost 10 years together

She told The Times newspaper: "He was an actor originally. He's had an incredibly interesting life and really done it on his terms. He's a bit of a rebel, which I love. We've been together almost 10 years now ... And we've had a blast. We've just had so much fun."

Kim had been battling issues including insomnia, stress and grief following the death of her father at the time she met Russell, and the actress admits she no longer regrets going through such a tough time because life brought her together with her partner.

She added: "I keep saying I wish I hadn't gone through all that. And then I thought to myself, well, if I hadn't have gone through that, I wouldn't have met Russ.

"So life has surprises and trade-offs. It was a bad time, but I learned a tremendous amount. And at the other end of it was this incredible, fun playmate."

Kim went on to admit she's the "antithesis" of her Sex and The City character Samantha in real life because she's happiest in a committed relationship unlike the serial dater she played on the small screen.

She added: "I'm the antithesis of her [Samantha] in many ways. I'm a serial monogamist, and then some."

Kim was married three times before to Mark Levinson between 1998 and 2004, Andre J. Lyson from 1982 to 1989 and Larry Davis from 1977 to 1979 before meeting Russell, who she previously described as a "firecracker".

In a previous interview with The Times, she said: "We kind of liked each other [after we first met], we kept in touch and then he came out to Vancouver.

"It was very brave of him because we didn't really know each other, other than having a few meals together. But he came and we got along great, and we've been together ever since!"

She added: "I'm very comfortable around him. "He's a firecracker and he's got a wicked sense of humour. And he's easy on the eyes! "I love him. And he was worth waiting for."