Sam Neill says Michael Fassbender ‘took offence’ at having a rooster named after him: ‘Not everyone is happy to be named after a…’

Neill also owns pigs named Angelica Huston and Imogen Poots

Sam Neill has revealed that Michael Fassbender “took offence” at Neill naming a rooster after him. 

The revelation comes after the Jurassic Park star recently told The Times that he named his farm animals after various celebrities, including Helena Bonham Carter, Graham Norton and Fassbender. 

Speaking on This Morning, Neill was asked about his animals by host Phillip Schofield.

“I’m slightly embarrassed about that now,” said Neill. “I won’t say his name because he took offence. 

“Not everyone is happy to be named after a…” Neill added, appearing to gesture at the double meaning of another common word for rooster, cock. 

Sam Neill: 'I've turned off the news – I'm not listening to any more idiotic press conferences' (Rex)

Although Neill did not initially identify the star to take “offence” at the name, he later admitted that it was the X-Men actor Fassbender.

He said: “It’s Michael Fassbender actually. I might as well tell you, it’s Michael Fassbender.”

The Peaky Blinders star did not give any details as to why he believes Fassbender was upset by the comment. 

Neill starred opposite Fassbender in the 2007 romantic drama Angel. 

In addition to a rooster named Michael Fassbender, Neill also has pigs called Angelica Huston and Imogen Poots, as well as a bull named Graham Norton.