Colin Farrell is thankful his young son James was diagnosed with neuro-genetic disorder Angelman Syndrome early - because it ended weeks of torment for the actor.

The In Bruges star reveals the four-year-old started showing signs of illness just before his first birthday, prompting the Irishman and his former partner, Kim Bordenave, to seek help.

In a candid interview on Irish TV show Tubridy Tonight, the actor says, "I've been very lucky that it was early because he started having seizures at about eight or nine months... We got (an) early intervention."

Farrell reveals doctors initially thought his son had cerebral palsy, but the correct diagnosis was fast - and a relief.

The actor adds, "Angelman's is a neuro-genetic disorder. The 15th chromosome is dormant. It affects their fine motor skills. They say that one in 30,000 children is affected by it." But the actor refuses to feel sorry for himself or his "little fella": "He's nothing but a gift. As far as I'm concerned, he's exactly the way he should be... He has his own path. He's just brilliant."

Farrell admits he felt terrible when he went public with his son's disorder last year after people started asking questions about the actor's involvement with the Special Olympics.

He adds, "I felt like I was betraying him, like it could be misconstrued as shame, which would be terrible, because he's such a celebration."

-Colin Farrell Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)