Ewan's big trip after Big Fish

Ewan McGregor has spoken in detail about his impending 20,000-mile motorbike trip around the world.

The Scottish actor is taking a long break from Hollywood to realise his dream, inspired by his experiences while riding across America after filming Big Fish in Alabama.

He spoke about the trip at the premiere of the film in Leicester Square last night. "My best friend Charlie Boorman and I are riding from New York to London," he said. "I'm taking a complete break and I'm really looking forward to it."

They will travel through Europe, Poland, Slovakia, the Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, Eastern Siberia, Alaska and Canada.

McGregor, 32, said he has not yet chosen which machine he will ride. Boorman, the actor son of John Boorman, and McGregor became friends after meeting on the set of The Serpent's Kiss in 1996.

McGregor said his wife Eve Mavrakis, with whom he has two children, had no qualms about his trip. "She thinks it's great."

He has agreed to write about the 15-week journey in a deal expected to earn about £1 million. Publication of the book, Long Way Round, is set to coincide with a TV series.

Big Fish director Tim Burton and his partner Helena Bonham Carter, who stars as a witch in the film, were also at the premiere.

McGregor plays the role of a son trying to learn more about his dying father by exploring the myths his father told him about himself.