Railing at what he claims is media intrusion into his private life, McGregor also said celebrities should use "extreme force" against paparazzi photographers who used subterfuge to obtain photographs.

"Heat magazine's a dirty, filthy piece of shit and I'd like to put that on record. People shouldn't buy it because it sucks," he said in a radio interview today.

Then, joking to fellow Scot, singer Sharleen Spiteri, he said: "I think we should encourage people to beat up paparazzis - use extreme force."

The angry outburst came during an interview on London radio station LBC 97.3 FM's drivetime show on Wednesday.

LBC's entertainment editor, Jo Parkerson, interviewed McGregor and Spiteri as the pair promoted the Children's Hospice Association of Scotland.

McGregor's comments followed claims from the Texas frontwoman that paparazzi photographers, and Heat in particular, had trailed her around during her pregnancy.

"They [the paparazzi] shouldn't be shot, but they should be severely beaten up mainly. They don't have the right to intrude on people's lives, I really don't think they do," McGregor said.

"Especially with my children, I've always felt that as a parent, it's my right to protect my children and everyone would agree with that.

"If a guy comes up and asks me, 'can I take a picture of your daughter?', that's one thing. But if he's hiding behind a bus and he takes a picture of me and my daughter, he's legally allowed to publish that photo in the press and I have no rights to stop him and I think that's wrong," he said.

Mark Frith, the editor of Heat, which is published by Emap, refused to comment on McGregor's criticism, which will reignite the debate on press coverage of the private lives of the rich and famous.