Michael Fassbender unwound from shooting six films in two years by travelling 5,000 miles on a bike.

The Irish/German actor - who lives in London - made movies including 'Shame' and 'Haywire' in a short space of time so decided to get away from it all by getting on a motorbike and holidaying across Europe.

He said: "My dad and a friend and I took a motorcycle trip around Europe. We covered 5,000 miles. That was a good way to unwind for two months."

The 34-year-old hunk first knew he needed a vacation while shooting Steve McQueen's 'Shame', because the character of sex addict Brandon was starting to get to him.

He added: "During week two or three of 'Shame', I remember being on set in New York, sitting in my caravan, naked, and thinking, 'I need to take a break!'

"If you're living with someone like Brandon, who doesn't like himself, he's punishing himself, it's a dark place to be. It can seep into your life a little."