Carey Mulligan didn't have a boyfriend until she was 19.

The 25-year-old actress - whose relationship with her 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' co-star Shia LaBeouf is rumoured to be in trouble -has changed her attitudes to the opposite sex as she has grown older as she previously felt "nervous" about being more than friends with a guy.

She said: "I didn't have a proper boyfriend until I was 19.

"I was a bit of a tomboy growing up with my brother and his friends, so I was nervous about that stuff. I'm more romantic now and more easily swept away than when I was 16."

The British actress also admitted she still struggles to comprehend her success and has started to keep a diary so she doesn't forget any special moments.

She added to Australia's Daily Telegraph magazine: "It's been a crazy ride. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I'm writing stuff down and trying to remember it. As surreal as it is, and as much of an honour as it is to work with people you admire, I'm just going to enjoy it.

"I get the same feeling every time I get a part I really want. Nothing - not even awards - beats that. When you know it's your gig, that's the best feeling in the world."