**Ewan McGregor Admits He Was ‘Embarrassed’ After Swearing in Front of Delia Smith**
Scottish actor Ewan McGregor has shared an amusing and slightly mortifying anecdote about the time he inadvertently let slip several swear words in the presence of renowned cookery writer and television chef Delia Smith. The revelation came while McGregor was joined by his friend and frequent co-adventurer Charley Boorman on Waitrose’s ‘Dish’ podcast, hosted by radio personality Nick Grimshaw and acclaimed chef Angela Hartnett.
During the light-hearted chat, McGregor recounted the story with characteristic candour. He described how, during an event for Radio Times, his excitement at meeting Smith got the better of him. As he explained, “I was so excited to meet her, but I kept swearing. I didn’t mean to, but I just kept dropping F-bombs all the time… I really let myself down.” It’s not uncommon for celebrities to feel overawed when meeting other famous personalities, and McGregor’s frank recollection certainly resonated with listeners.
Grimshaw, who is familiar with the world of football and its robust language, was quick to reassure the Trainspotting and Star Wars star. He pointed out that Delia Smith, once the main shareholder of Norwich City Football Club, would not have taken offence. “She won’t mind. She’s all right, she’s down the football, she hears it all,” Grimshaw joked, putting McGregor’s mind at ease.
The friendly banter soon shifted from awkward encounters to the extraordinary experiences the pair have enjoyed during their two-decade-long partnership. McGregor and Boorman are celebrated for their ‘Long Way’ series, a set of adventure documentaries chronicling their continent-spanning motorcycle journeys. Over the years, these exploits have led the duo to all manner of unusual situations—especially when it comes to local cuisines.
Reflecting on one particular adventure, Boorman shared memories of a memorable meal with villagers in Mongolia. The two were welcomed into a ger—a traditional Mongolian yurt—where their hosts invited them to try a local delicacy. Boorman recalled the scene: “They had this big pot in the middle on the stove, and they lifted this, uh, this lid, and there were 200 testicles bubbling away with all their entrails.” The dish featured yak among other ingredients, illustrating just how intrepid the travellers have had to be when it comes to unfamiliar food.
Boorman admitted that while McGregor handles challenging dishes with admirable stoicism, he himself had a tougher time. “I remember eating them, and Ewan is pretty good with eating, kind of, you know, difficult things, I took one bite and it kind of popped.” This detail prompted laughter from the podcast’s hosts and listeners alike, with Boorman noting that the villagers found his reaction utterly hilarious.
McGregor and Boorman’s latest journey, “Long Way Home,” sees the pair travel from McGregor’s native Scotland to Boorman’s home in England. Rather than follow a direct route, the duo opt for true adventure, detouring through Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle before weaving their way back across continental Europe—all on classic motorcycles.
Their travels continue to delight fans of travel documentaries, offering not just extraordinary vistas and inspiring tales of camaraderie, but intimate glimpses into the human connections formed along the way. Their willingness to embrace new cultures and cuisines—no matter how challenging—remains a key ingredient in their appeal.
While McGregor’s swearing slip-up provided a humorous insight into the pressures of celebrity meetings, his ongoing partnership with Boorman highlights the rewards of stepping boldly beyond one’s comfort zone, whether on the road or at the dinner table. In a world often defined by polished public personas, moments like these serve as a reminder that even the famous are not immune to embarrassment—or laughter.