Richard Curtis says there are parts of his Christmas classic Love Actually that make him feel “a bit stupid”, including a lack of diversity in the film.

For a special programme to celebrate 20 years since the film’s release, the cast sat down with ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer.

Asked if there were any parts of the film that “made you wince”, Curtis said: “The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid.”

He added: “There are things that you would change, but thank god society is changing. My film is bound in some moments to feel out of date.”

Released in 2003, Love Actually had an overwhelmingly white cast and only heterosexual relationships.

Despite a mixed critical response, the film was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and Bill Nighy won a Bafta for his role as Billy Mack, a rock ‘n’ roll legend competing for Christmas number one.

In the special, titled The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later, which was broadcast on ABC on Wednesday, cast members also shared their memories and feelings about the film.

Nighy, 72, said the film had been “wonderful to be a part of”.

“I have people coming up to me saying it got me through my chemotherapy, or it got me through my divorce, or I watch it whenever I’m alone. And people do it,” he said.

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Nighy added: “People have Love Actually parties and they know it by heart. They play their score live with a live orchestra. It’s become beloved and it’s a wonderful thing to be a part of”.

The movie also starred big British names including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightly, Liam Neeson and the late Alan Rickman.