McGregor's 20,000-mile tour ends

The Hollywood actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman arrived in New York last night after a 20,000-mile motorbike journey around the world.

For three months the friends travelled from London through the EU, Russia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Alaska, and across North America. They described suffering near-fatal crashes, being detained by border guards and finally crying tears of joy as they arrived in New York.

McGregor, 33, best known for Star Wars, said he was hit from behind at 50mph in Canada and he nearly lost his bike when he crashed into a river in Mongolia. He said: "It feels amazing. If we had to do another 20,000 miles tomorrow I would."

Boorman, 37, who starred in Excalibur, said the experience had brought them as close as brothers. Their trip was filmed for a seven-part documentary, Long Way Round, which will be screened this year. They also have a book deal.