Ewan McGregor: I may take pet dog on next bike trip

• Ewan McGregor says he may take his dog on his next motorbike adventure

The keen biker, who was accompanied by pal Charley Boorman for his adventure series Long Way Round and Long Way Down, reckons his family dog would be an ideal travelling companion.

McGregor, star of the Star Wars prequels and Trainspotting, has even bought the animal a set of "doggles", goggles for dogs.

The Hollywood star said he is aiming to drive his bike across South America next, and may opt to shun human company.

"I might go on my own. I got a dog, Sid. I've trained him to ride in my side car and I thought we could do a trip together," he said.

The challenges faced by McGregor and long-term friend Mr Boorman on their first trip made for a TV hit on the BBC.

From navigating dangerous river crossings, negotiating with the Russian mafia over a place to stay, pushing their bikes to the limit on unpaved roads, and frequent crashes, the pair won many fans.

McGregor was speaking as he publicised his latest film The Ghost, which received its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival at the weekend.

The political thriller is based on the book by Robert Harris and has been directed by Roman Polanski, who is still under house arrest in Switzerland facing possible extradition to the United States.

McGregor praised the director's work, but said he could be brusque in his manner.

"He's not afraid of saying 'It looks really stupid when you do that like that' but it's just his way and it's never any way of an attack or whatever.

"Maybe it's being British but we're used to politeness in a way that your ego's slightly dented at first with his brusqueness, but once I saw that's him I knew it was never a personal thing. And his direction is unbelievably good," he added.